Mother and her syringe. Colourful symbols of my childhood.

As I reflect on the past, I see my legs high up in the air, suspended by mom’s left hand while her right held the syringe filled with a herbal mixture.

First, I am bent over, the syringe is inserted into my anus, and the green liquid within it injected  into the body. My legs are swept off my feet, and in a suspended position I am shaken vigorously for the liquid to spread into my belly so that when I land after the piloting in mid air, everything in that belly of mine that has refused to come out is forced to give up and descend humbly, and with haste.

That was the goal of this grand enterprise.

And trust me, neither my siblings nor I loved this past time vocation of mommy. But they say it is a good body cleansing exercises.

A good dose of sweat on one’s back and forehead was an indication that the herbs were working.