gogos and grandpas
The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof, shit detector. This is the writer's radar and all great writers have had it.
- Ernest Hemingway
Tonite I talked Hemingway, history and provincial politics with a retired CP/Reuters journalist. It was easily one of the most memorable nights I've had this year. I love seniors. I really do. I used to work in a restaurant where the demographic was 45-80. Seriously. Most people at my current job scoff at serving the blue/grey hair set. I love it/them.
The gentleman I met tonight was formerly based in London, Montreal, Brussels and Paris. It was the annual Christmas open house in the neighboring apartment building put on by my landlord (he manages 2 properties). He had something to say about Conrad Black, David Asper, Gordon Campbell and blogging. He just finished donating a library to UVic by Wyndham Lewis, a journalist, writer and satirist. I can't wait to bump into him again.
This week I've seen two amazing documentaries about AIDS in Africa. One was surprisingly on CNN by Christiane Amanpour and was on CBC's Nature of Things. Both focus on Grannies in Africa. Both shows illustrated how the grannies are coping with raising another generation of children (and the majority of the AIDS orphans in Africa) and the resources available for this. From Kenya to Zambia to South Africa. Many women are raising their daughters and nieces and even grand-daughters' children. One of the best moments of the CBC doc is when one South African granny asks, "Are these women raising theire grandchildren for life or for the grave." Stuff like this makes my hear dissolve in a puddle of tears.
MOM - STOP reading here.
In South Africa the common word for an African grandmother is 'gogo'. Think about your grandmothers and the role they play in your life. Now imagine her raising you and ALL your cousins. Its amazing, especially when I consider the voracity of reproduction on my dad's side. I think this year I'm going to get my grandmas and moms a Stephen Lewis gogo grandma gift.
posted by Miranda @ Wednesday, December 06, 2006
2 Comments:
nice post. good ides for s gift too.
Hi Miranda
I recognise the Wyndham Lewis fan as an old friend of mine with whom I've lost contact (CJF) - I don't suppose you have an email address for him? As I recall, he was never a man for new technologies - altho if he's given away his library age may have softened him
Thanks
bobtchapman
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