It's often the case that things that deviate from the norm are viewed as undesirable or flawed. Being exceptionally tall or short, slender or heavy, is frequently seen as being "out of style" or "abnormal." It's as if there's an unspoken assumption that the creator had a specific blueprint for what constitutes a "proper" human being. As it happens, I possess several characteristics that fall outside the realm of what's considered typical, making me a bit of an enigma.

 

I find it intriguing to reflect on my paternal grandfather's marital choices, which seem to have been influenced by a peculiar pattern. Both of his wives, my grandmother and step-grandmother, had a unique characteristic - they were both born with signs of a sixth finger, a trait known as polydactyly.

 

My grandmother had six fingers on each hand, which were surgically removed shortly after birth, leaving behind visible scars. Similarly, my step-grandmother was born with marks indicating the presence of a sixth finger, although the finger itself was not present.

 

Interestingly, this trait seemed to be inherited by some of my relatives. My aunts and uncles on my grandmother's side, as well as I myself, were all born with sixth fingers that were removed at birth. However, none of my children inherited this trait.

 

On the other hand, my uncles and aunts on my step-grandmother's side were born with only marks indicating the presence of a sixth finger, but not the finger itself. This peculiar pattern of inheritance is just one of the many unexplained phenomena that surround my life, setting me apart from others in my community.

 

Another phenomenon that adds to the enigma of my life is the striking contrast between the color of my face and the rest of my body. While my face is noticeably darker, my body is remarkably lighter, a discrepancy that has often raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity among those who have seen me. While several factors contribute to the skin color phenomenon, my situation seems unusual. One possible explanation is the varying levels of sun exposure between my face and body. In tropical climates, the face is often more exposed to the sun, leading to increased melanin production and darker skin over time. Conversely, areas like the torso and limbs, which are typically covered, receive less sun exposure, resulting in lighter skin.

 

Another factor is natural variation in skin tone within an individual. It's common for people to have slightly different skin tones on different body parts. My skin may be more sensitive to UV radiation, contributing to my facial skin darkening. However, this doesn't necessarily determine my overall skin tone or complexion.

 

Skin tone can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including ancestry, diet, and lifestyle. Perhaps my skin tone simply reflects my unique characteristics and experiences.

 

This raises a question: should I be considered dark or light complexioned? While complexion is typically assessed based on facial skin, the answer becomes less clear when reproduction is factored in.

 

I come from a diverse genetic background, with my mother and many of her relatives having darker complexions, while my father was lighter-skinned. Interestingly, my paternal grandmother was darker, but my grandfather was lighter, likely due to his mother's fairer complexion, which is common among Sotho women.

 

Growing up, I noticed that my aunts and one of my uncles shared my father's lighter skin tone, but none of them had the same unusual skin phenomenon that I have - a dark face, but extremely light skin on my body and legs. Whenever people see my bare arms and legs, they often express amazement and curiosity, asking me questions that I struggle to answer.

 

To be honest, my entire life has been marked by various unexplained phenomena, leaving me with more questions than answers. My skin tone is just one of the many mysteries that surround me.

 

The peculiarities surrounding my life seem to know no bounds. In addition to the unusual characteristics I've mentioned earlier, I also have a distinctive birthmark on the inside of my left upper arm, just below the armpit. Upon closer inspection, this birthmark appears to be a rough, hand-drawn map of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and parts of Southern Europe, including western Turkey and Greece. What's even more striking is the vibrant red color of this birthmark - a deep, blood-red hue that is both fascinating and unsettling. I am unaware of anyone else on earth who possesses a birthmark like this, and it serves as yet another enigmatic feature that sets me apart. The reason behind this phenomenon, and the purpose for which it was created, remain a mystery to me.

 

Another intriguing aspect of my life is a habit that I've had for almost six decades, since I was just seven years old in Grade One. It's a habit that I didn't choose, but rather one that was born out of necessity - nail biting on both hands. Our class teacher was notorious for being strict about fingernail hygiene, and anyone caught with long or dirty nails would face a painful punishment. To avoid this fate, I developed the habit of biting my nails almost daily, a behavior that has persisted to this day. It's become such an ingrained habit that I often do it unconsciously, and people often mistake my bitten nails for a sign of lameness.

 

Considering the numerous extraordinary phenomena that have accompanied me throughout my life's journey, I've grown accustomed to the unusual. It's clear that I'm a unique individual, and I've come to realize that this distinctiveness should be reflected in how I live my life and serve the Lord. If the societal pressures that often shape people's behaviors and expectations couldn't alter the remarkable phenomena surrounding me, then why should I feel compelled to conform to traditional norms when it comes to serving the Lord and my community? Instead, I believe that my uniqueness is a strength, a reminder that I'm called to live out my faith and serve others in a way that's authentic and distinctive. By embracing my individuality, I can bring a fresh perspective and approach to my service, one that's unencumbered by the need to fit into predetermined molds. As I continue on this journey, I'm reminded that my uniqueness is not a liability, but rather a valuable asset that can be used to glorify God and make a meaningful impact in the world.

 

And so, I'd like to reassure those who may be concerned about me that all is indeed well. As long as my family has been able to thrive, with no one lacking the basic necessities of life, and some even excelling in their respective fields, I consider that a success. As Shakespeare so aptly put it, "all's well that ends well." I'm aware that my family's dynamics may be unconventional, but it's interesting to note that it's often outsiders who express concern, while we, as a family, have learned to appreciate and celebrate our unique bond. We're grateful for the way God has seen us through life's challenges, and we take pride in being who we are, quirks and all.

 

 

 

 

It's often the case that things that deviate from the norm are viewed as undesirable or flawed. Being exceptionally tall or short, slender or heavy, is frequently seen as being "out of style" or "abnormal." It's as if there's an unspoken assumption that the creator had a specific blueprint for what constitutes a "proper" human being. As it happens, I possess several characteristics that fall outside the realm of what's considered typical, making me a bit of an enigma.

 

I find it intriguing to reflect on my paternal grandfather's marital choices, which seem to have been influenced by a peculiar pattern. Both of his wives, my grandmother and step-grandmother, had a unique characteristic - they were both born with signs of a sixth finger, a trait known as polydactyly.

 

My grandmother had six fingers on each hand, which were surgically removed shortly after birth, leaving behind visible scars. Similarly, my step-grandmother was born with marks indicating the presence of a sixth finger, although the finger itself was not present.

 

Interestingly, this trait seemed to be inherited by some of my relatives. My aunts and uncles on my grandmother's side, as well as I myself, were all born with sixth fingers that were removed at birth. However, none of my children inherited this trait.

 

On the other hand, my uncles and aunts on my step-grandmother's side were born with only marks indicating the presence of a sixth finger, but not the finger itself. This peculiar pattern of inheritance is just one of the many unexplained phenomena that surround my life, setting me apart from others in my community.

 

Another phenomenon that adds to the enigma of my life is the striking contrast between the color of my face and the rest of my body. While my face is noticeably darker, my body is remarkably lighter, a discrepancy that has often raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity among those who have seen me. While several factors contribute to the skin color phenomenon, my situation seems unusual. One possible explanation is the varying levels of sun exposure between my face and body. In tropical climates, the face is often more exposed to the sun, leading to increased melanin production and darker skin over time. Conversely, areas like the torso and limbs, which are typically covered, receive less sun exposure, resulting in lighter skin.

 

Another factor is natural variation in skin tone within an individual. It's common for people to have slightly different skin tones on different body parts. My skin may be more sensitive to UV radiation, contributing to my facial skin darkening. However, this doesn't necessarily determine my overall skin tone or complexion.

 

Skin tone can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including ancestry, diet, and lifestyle. Perhaps my skin tone simply reflects my unique characteristics and experiences.

 

This raises a question: should I be considered dark or light complexioned? While complexion is typically assessed based on facial skin, the answer becomes less clear when reproduction is factored in.

 

I come from a diverse genetic background, with my mother and many of her relatives having darker complexions, while my father was lighter-skinned. Interestingly, my paternal grandmother was darker, but my grandfather was lighter, likely due to his mother's fairer complexion, which is common among Sotho women.

 

Growing up, I noticed that my aunts and one of my uncles shared my father's lighter skin tone, but none of them had the same unusual skin phenomenon that I have - a dark face, but extremely light skin on my body and legs. Whenever people see my bare arms and legs, they often express amazement and curiosity, asking me questions that I struggle to answer.

 

To be honest, my entire life has been marked by various unexplained phenomena, leaving me with more questions than answers. My skin tone is just one of the many mysteries that surround me.

 

The peculiarities surrounding my life seem to know no bounds. In addition to the unusual characteristics I've mentioned earlier, I also have a distinctive birthmark on the inside of my left upper arm, just below the armpit. Upon closer inspection, this birthmark appears to be a rough, hand-drawn map of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and parts of Southern Europe, including western Turkey and Greece. What's even more striking is the vibrant red color of this birthmark - a deep, blood-red hue that is both fascinating and unsettling. I am unaware of anyone else on earth who possesses a birthmark like this, and it serves as yet another enigmatic feature that sets me apart. The reason behind this phenomenon, and the purpose for which it was created, remain a mystery to me.

 

Another intriguing aspect of my life is a habit that I've had for almost six decades, since I was just seven years old in Grade One. It's a habit that I didn't choose, but rather one that was born out of necessity - nail biting on both hands. Our class teacher was notorious for being strict about fingernail hygiene, and anyone caught with long or dirty nails would face a painful punishment. To avoid this fate, I developed the habit of biting my nails almost daily, a behavior that has persisted to this day. It's become such an ingrained habit that I often do it unconsciously, and people often mistake my bitten nails for a sign of lameness.

 

Considering the numerous extraordinary phenomena that have accompanied me throughout my life's journey, I've grown accustomed to the unusual. It's clear that I'm a unique individual, and I've come to realize that this distinctiveness should be reflected in how I live my life and serve the Lord. If the societal pressures that often shape people's behaviors and expectations couldn't alter the remarkable phenomena surrounding me, then why should I feel compelled to conform to traditional norms when it comes to serving the Lord and my community? Instead, I believe that my uniqueness is a strength, a reminder that I'm called to live out my faith and serve others in a way that's authentic and distinctive. By embracing my individuality, I can bring a fresh perspective and approach to my service, one that's unencumbered by the need to fit into predetermined molds. As I continue on this journey, I'm reminded that my uniqueness is not a liability, but rather a valuable asset that can be used to glorify God and make a meaningful impact in the world.

 

And so, I'd like to reassure those who may be concerned about me that all is indeed well. As long as my family has been able to thrive, with no one lacking the basic necessities of life, and some even excelling in their respective fields, I consider that a success. As Shakespeare so aptly put it, "all's well that ends well." I'm aware that my family's dynamics may be unconventional, but it's interesting to note that it's often outsiders who express concern, while we, as a family, have learned to appreciate and celebrate our unique bond. We're grateful for the way God has seen us through life's challenges, and we take pride in being who we are, quirks and all.