Independence Day - Our Day

Yesterday, America celebrated it's 231st Independence Day, and while I wasn't physically there to enjoy the barbecues, parades and fireworks, in my heart, I was there, and that will have to be good enough. God Bless America, land that I love.

Today, right here in Ghana, it is also "Independence Day," of a very different sort. You see, it is "Our Day," or the official last day of school. So, with very little coaxing, cajoling, coercing, shaking or screaming (from me), and no moaning, crying or whining (from them), our morning routine began. By 6:00 a.m. they were dressed and ready, only waiting for their taxi driver to collect them. Of course, he doesn't normally come until just around 6:40, and so by 6:20 Alex was nearly beside herself with anxiety and begging Daddy to "call brother Ekow and ask him where he is!"

"Our Day" is very special, you see, and any Ghanaian can tell you, that this is the most important day in a child's school year. They get to do nothing, and they get to wear mufti not doing it! In other words, NO UNIFORMS! Now, in the U.S., the uniforms at school issue is a very hot, highly debated topic. Not here. With very little exception, all school age children in Ghana wear uniforms. In public schools, it's standard yellow and brown; private schools can express themselves as they see fit, some schools even have the school name and symbol imprinted on the fabric itself. Regardless of how nice and neat and polished the kids look, THEY ALL HATE IT!!

So, today, my brood gets to wear their civvies. Alex looks her little cute self as usual, capri styled jeans with floral embroidery, a striped cloth tie belt and a floral button down shirt, hair pulled back in a pony. The boys, especially 12 year old Sean, have gone for the modified gangsta look. No doubt, it will be un-modified some time today, when they are not in direct sight of Mommy, Daddy or the school Head Master. The sneakers will be un-tied, the belt will be un-cinched, the tee shirt will be un-tucked; everything will hang loose. If Michael had a fake gold tooth, he'd have slipped that on, too.

After what to wear, the next big issue is money. Alex suggested yesterday that ¢200,000 (or about $22) would be enough. I think not. Sean has been pestering me about this for ages now, and we've finally negotiated it down to ¢45,000 for him (about $4.75) and ¢35,000 ($3.50) each for Mike and Alex. More than enough, I think.

This money will be thrown away. Yes, thrown away. No doubt, Alex and Mike will have lost some of it; as always, it somehow just "slips through their fingers." Mike wore pants with 7 pockets, and I made him put 5,000 cedis in each one in an effort to staunch the flow. What remains, he will waste on that rip-off kebab and sausage seller who intersperses the tiny pieces of meat and sausage slices with big bits of onions (and do you know ANY kid who eats onion willingly?!), and then sells them to these poor suckers, I mean naive children, for ¢5,000 each! Mike would almost kill for these, and one "Our Day" actually bought 8 of them. Anyone for Pepto Bismal?

Now, "Our Day" actually happens 3 times a year; once before the Christmas Break ("Our Day" number 2 in celebration value) and then again before Easter (a "crappy" Our Day according to my kids, since they have to wear their uniforms). But this "Our Day" is the Big One. And usually, there are tons of things to do: watch videos, play Nintendo, be a goalkeeper in the football match, jump around in the bubble bouncer, eat kebab, popcorn, cotton candy. All those things that can make a mother's hair turn gray (or stomach turn, depending).

So, off the kids went today, with high hopes and filled pockets (literally and figuratively). What happened once they left (i.e. their happiness quotient) was based on a number of factors, not the least of which was weather, which is very unpredictable in July, and how much money they have in comparison to their friends.

Afternoon editing (4:07 pm GMT)

Well, here's the synopsis of the day:

Sean: It sucked, this was the worst "Our Day" ever. It rained all day and they didn't let us do anything, but check out this cool necklace I bought (ummm, they're dog tags).

Michael: It wasn't the worst "Our Day." Even though I had a lot of money, it seemed it went fast (Mom's Note: DUH). Mawuli and Shaiwu had more money than me. I only ate one kebab.

Alexandra: ZZZZZ. She fell asleep within moments of walking through the door.

The bottom line is, even though the day may have "sucked," it's still the Last Day of School. First term re-opens September 11th. Pray for me.