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Winter ABC Day 26: Portraits of My Life

Photos without captions are left for one's interpretation. A picture is worth a thousand words, some often left unsaid.

As I flip through old photo albums, I read the stories told by each image. I'm by nature, nostalgic, and find peace in past time's paradise. But those photos show how far I have come. I see the journey to unlearning and healing. I see the map to self love. There are images of loved ones both living and deceased.

Memories are affirmed by photos and below are the portraits of my life.

1. Photo with dad

My middle name in Zulu loosely means 'daddy's girl'. Out of all my sisters, I cleaved to my father's hip. At 5 ft 2 in, my father was the figure that I looked up to. This photo resembles him carrying my life in his hands. I didn't have to face the world alone, daddy had me.



2. Photo of mum 

My mother was and still is the most stylish woman that I know. If it weren't for traditional Shona customs, I would still have most of her clothes. I would probably be wearing them. My mum looked good in everything. She loved red lipstick and rocked that Afro as if she was Pam Grief in Foxy Brown. This photo is of my live Pinterest board.

3. My pink Chinese dress



For one night, I was Cinderella at the ball. This photo was taken at my younger sister's birthday soiree. My cousin picked this dress for me. She said that it brought out my personality - weird and adventurous. She forgot lover of the exotic. This was the first time that I felt very beautiful. It was more than just the dress, it was my perception of self. The dress also happens to be inspired by one of my female idols, Sadé. Exhibit A.



4. Photo of my daughter



What personality rolled up into one little human being. My daughter is loveable. She is sweet yet mature beyond her age. She is generous with a gigantic heart. She says that she wants to be a star. Looks like she is one already. This photo is my lighthouse - guiding my journey through motherhood. I hope that I will be a great mother.

5. My sister as a bridesmaid



This is what sibling rivalry looks like. Anybody remember the MTV cartoon 'Daria'. I'm so Daria and this is my sister, who's like Daria's sister, Britney. Growing up we were always compared. I wad the smart one and she's the pretty one. Pretty always wins, smart hurts. As adults my sister still has that competitive trait in her. She often projects onto me - she wants me to be 'her'. Although she never admits to it. This photo is a compliment from me, you are beautiful and that's enough. I'm in my lane and that's enough.

Thank you for going through the exhibition of my photos. They remain in this gallery for your own interpretation.

Merci beaucoup!

P.S. Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

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