Moments of madness
I learnt from the Herald that the Islamic Republic of Iran has opened a library at their culture centre in Harare “in a bid to foster and promote cultural cooperation between their country and Zimbabwe.” The Iran ambassador was quoted saying he hoped the relations that exist between the two countries will go a long way in improving “cultural exchange”.
Cultural exchange? I’m wondering what else this country is coming to, I sure don’t want any cultural exchanges with a country that is well documented for its disrespect, nay disregard for the rights of women. In Iran, you risk getting stoned to death for anything from getting raped to dyeing your hair a different color, or wearing a skirt that comes slightly above your knee. No sir. Talk about a desperation for friends!
On a different note, my maternal grandmother paid us a visit from the village, seeking better medical treatment. She is 80 years old. Of late my siblings had been complaining about how difficult she is. I never paid much attention to this until last Sunday when I spent the day at home with her. It has always been a tradition in my house that if certain foodstuffs are running out, they are left for the youngest kids. There were only two bananas left in the fridge; naturally my two young sisters shared them between themselves. While they were eating the bananas, my grandmother called one of them and asked for a bite. Initially I thought she was just playing, but when the child brought the banana to her, she broke off almost half of it. Clearly shocked and disappointed, the child left. Then the old lady called the other child for another bite, but having witnessed what had just happened, my sister refused.
You will not believe how disappointed the old lady got. In fact, she became angry, and threw a major childish tantrum complaining that one of my sisters was stingy. Later in the evening, she demanded meat (despite our constantly telling her there was none in the shops or anywhere). Although she knows very well the situation, she still demanded the impossible. My best friend also told me her paternal grandfather who is 81 behaves the same way. I was beginning to lose it myself and was considering giving her a piece of my mind when my mother stopped me and explained that its common regressive behavior in the elderly. They become more like children as they grow older. They have their “moments of madness” she said. I imagined somebody like this running a country, and I got very scared . . .
I also cannot help remembering someone’s self-described “moment of madness” in the 1980′s and then, that person was only in his late 50s. No disrespect, but honestly, shouldn’t we be worried, just a little?