10 things I am grateful for
One.
It’s the 27th of November, 2021 and it’s just a few weeks away from Christmas. At Christmas time, my parent’s house is both a sanctuary and a storehouse. Here, our half-filled and half-empty to-do list always reminds us to show gratitude. I have cultivated a habit of giving and leaving everything spent. If you are filled, there is someone to share your joy with, and if you feel emptiness, we are reminded that gratitude is always lurking around, our job is to find it. This year, I am grateful for the joy that comes with Christmas.
Two.
It’s the 19th of November 2021. I am in Ibadan, with red eyes and shaking hands, sending out a call for help via WhatsApp. There is nothing poetic about tragedy, and there are no innuendos for robbery. Nothing prepares you for the sleepless night that comes with watching your neighbors' houses being robbed. But I am grateful for life anyway. I am grateful for Okiki who has been a friend, a safe place, and a brother.
Three.
It’s the 18th of November, 2021, and here is my writing published on Aljazeera. Twice my dad would have wanted me to read law, once my mum would have suggested anything but art. But I am grateful I come from a lineage of believers. Here, we are taught how to plant seeds with prayers, and on very bad days, reminded how to see those things which be not as though they were. I am grateful for New York Times, for Dames Magazines, For the Globe, and elsewhere where my works are coming up.
Four.
31st October 2021, 6:19 pm. I have learned that sometimes joy comes when we are least expecting. I am grateful for Joan’s Neco and Waec results.
Five.
September was quiet. I am healing from a very bad heartbreak experience, submitting my application for the Nelson Mandela fellowship, catching up with old friends in Lagos, seeing Eclipse again, praying with Kosin John.
Six.
I am not good with arithmetics and numbers, so can’t really remember what time of the year was this. I am somewhere in Victoria Island trying to mend my broken heart, finding salvation in places where I am called broken, not ready, secretive, not enough, not ready, and the many other adjectives that say I love you but I will rather let you go. I am trying to call dead things back to life. I am seeing my ex for the first time after she ended a 3 years relationship over the phone. I am grateful for the gift to grow softer and the lessons that come with heartbreaks.
Seven.
This should be the second quarter of the year and life is acting up like a bitch. I am with Kosin John praying for my aunt's health (she died anyway), praying for my relationship to work (she left anyway), praying that my team lead at Flutterwave recognizes that I am here trying to hold on to anything to survive (but he won't anyway). I am learning that people won't always be here and I am grateful for those who have chosen to stay
Eight.
This should be the second quarter of the year and my health is falling apart. I am always on the road — Ife, Ibadan, Lagos, and everywhere in between, finding purpose in life. I am begging to be loved, I am growing bad habits and frustrating those I really care about. I am seeing a life coach with my ex trying to salvage what is left of a sinking relationship. I am praying with her at All-Stars Church, Lekki hoping things work, I am always saying sorry. I am grateful for friends. Chiamaka, Chiamaka, Paul, Inioluwa, Jadesola, Paul, Nozipho, and many other xyz colleagues in Flutterwave, new friends at Aljazeera, and new friends at the University of Ibadan. I am grateful for Shalom too
Nine.
I am grateful for friends who have always been here. The Kosins Family, Femi Akojede, Theophilus Andefiki, Kemi, Lake Adedamola, Jayeoba Deborah, Mayowa Akande, Olaoluwa Faniyi, Kayode, Toyin, Sade, Akinlabi, 2gentu who gave me shelter in Ife, and all the beautiful people I met in OAU. I am grateful for Wunmi too.
Ten.
Family is still everything. I am seeing one of my cousins again for the first time in nine (9) years and I am grateful for this.
