29/08/2025
My passion for cooking has gradually faded over the years. The only reason I still cook is that I’m a mum, and I take my responsibility to provide my children with healthy, home-cooked meals very seriously. When it comes to what my kids eat, I don't compromise, and this commitment has been my sanity in the kitchen.
Moving into my new home with very little to work with, I decided to start chopping my own peppers. This is something I rarely do because of how my skin reacts to them. Not only is there the risk of getting pepper on other parts of my body, but my fingers also sting for hours from the heat. To my surprise, this didn't happen the first day I chopped peppers, even though I was mentally prepared for the inevitable. Since that first meal in my new place during the first week of June 2025, I haven't felt that burning sting.
This newfound freedom has led me to experiment with different types of peppers, as I love to cook with a good amount of heat. If I can't feel the spice on my tongue when I eat, I can't fully enjoy the food. The unique combination of various peppers in my cooking adds a flavor and aroma that I simply don't get from meals prepared by others.
My experience with peppers has led me to reflect on how something so delightful can cause such discomfort when misused or overused.
Life has been a roller coaster, a story every human who has ever lived can relate to. We struggle daily, and the moments of joy we experience can feel insignificant compared to the pain, sadness, and confusion we face. Like many, I've often pondered the purpose of life. Why must something so beautiful be filled with so many uncertainties? It doesn't matter if we're responsible for our struggles or if they arise from others—why must this much pain and sadness exist at all? Much like the joy I get from cooking with various peppers, each adding its own unique taste and aroma, I am learning to be cautious, knowing they can still sting when handled improperly.
I am also learning to be more careful as I navigate this new chapter of my life. It’s easy to forget the pain and betrayal we’ve endured when our minds are at peace—much like a new mother who forgets the agony of labor the moment she holds her bundle of joy. But the truth is, the memory of that pain remains, even when it's tucked away, making room for the joy and peace that come from stepping away from a storm that once threatened our sanity.
© Kemdy Mbagwu ♥️