"おにたま" (onitama) is a phrase that my mother always called me whenever she needs help with something or to just get my attention. This is a weird phrase to use because its very similar to the word, "おにさん" (oniisan), which means older brother. But how my mom uses it is a more cuter, childlike way. "Onii" comes from older brother, but the "tan" part is cute part. What "tan" means, is that its not an actual word, but its a word that enhances a word. Meaning if I added "tan" to "onii", it makes it into a cuter term. The reason why my mother calls me this is because of my kind and caring personality, and I agree, I like to help others and be kind to many people as possible.
I remember that my mother started calling me "Oniitama" around 7th or 8th grade, and she used it frequently back then, compared to now. I'm looking back to this word now, I kind of find it silly, but I didn't mind being called that one bit, because it reminds me so much of my childhood and my relationship between my mother. Whenever I came home from school or I want something to eat, my mother is always there for me and my siblings, whenever my father isn't home, and I loved this fact. I never had to feel alone, I never had to go home knowing that no one will be home waiting for me, because there is someone waiting for me. I get to see my parents everyday, and enjoy delicious dinner with them everyday, and thinking back to that is one of my many great childhood memories.
My mother started getting cancer around my 7th grade year, it was scary. The thought of possibly losing my mother was a terrifying thought for me, but I helped her whenever she needed help, and whenever she had a hard time with something, I tried my hardest to help her with her troubles. Maybe that's why she started calling me "oniitama" because how much help I was and always is to her. I'm glad she is still fine, but of course I would still be worried about her, she is the very person who helped shape my childhood in a proper shape that is now who you call Kael. That's why I always try to help her even today with any troubles she runs into, that she would have difficulty because of her medical problem.
As I started getting into high school, the term "oniitama" started to die down, and to be honest, I miss it. My mother was the only person in the entire family to say it, and it was special. I knew that deep down, this term was specially made for the relationship between me and my mother. It makes me feel unique from my entire family, knowing that i'm pretty much the only one who has a nickname, and its used for a special purpose. I'm not sure she intentionally or unintentionally started to call me this, but i'm glad she called me "oniitama" either way.
Overall It's nostalgic for me, and I love anything that's nostalgic, because I mostly have good memories. It's a great feeling that this one word can bring back so many good feelings of my great and well spent childhood. And the more I think of the meaning behind "oniitama", the more I realized the true definition between my relationships between not only my mother, but my father, my siblings, even my dog, they're all family to me. "Oniitama" is probably a word I wont use to my children because I not a fan of using child like names, but I will cherish this phrase forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment