ONE DAY IN APRIL: MIRACLES

Miracles happen everyday, but mine came on a Friday. We get to be happy all the time  but on Fridays, 'I'm perky'. 

We get to laugh on good days but Friday is my good day. Because on Friday, the pain was intense. It got me anxious and depressed, then slowly, it did not matter again, bittersweet. 

On Friday, I won the battle, to run the marathon by God's grace. Perhaps your miracle may not come on a Friday, but hold on, there are six other days in the week. 

Yours could come too,  if only you'll believe and hold on. You'll win your battle too. 

.....Puppishgirl...

Oh God! I'm sure it will take a while to forget the significance of 'Friday' in my life. For the past couple of weeks I've made so much noise about Friday. Written poems and actually idolised Friday.

This is because exactly five Fridays ago, I got my miracle. I woke up at 1.50am thinking it was 3am. I couldn't go back to sleep again. My heart began to race. Although I tried to go back to sleep by just laying in bed and closing my eyes, I could not fall asleep again.

I began to wonder whether it would be the last time I would lay in my bed. Was I still going to be counted amongst the living by evening? Would I still be here by next Friday? Was I going to be a source of pain to my family by breaking their hearts on Friday? God what was going to happen to me today, I wondered but got no answers.

If God had showed me how 'Friday' would end, I would have gone back to sleep that very minute. Unfortunately, although he had assured me I would be safe prior to Friday, I just couldn't fall asleep again. Now I'm wondering, how I could not just fall asleep when I claimed I had surrendered the day to God.

My brother and I arrived at the hospital at 4 am. I went through the process for admission to the recovery ward. I expected my brother to leave once I was allocated a bed and come back later but he assured me he would wait in the car instead. Saddled with a tall prescription to get for me, he left, while I tried to get some rest.

I needed to, so my blood pressure would not go out of the roof. Well, I couldn't. Who sleeps comfortably in a hospital. My friend who's a doctor and had told me  countless times to calm down since the previous night, texted me asking me to relax but I responded with "is the hospital a hotel, how do I relax?"

I couldn't believe it, when my brother got back with the IVs and meds  that had been prescribed. I was in for a lot of pain, I could tell, it was a whole bag full. Then came 7am, the Anaesthesiologist came around and wanted the list of patients for the day since I did not check into hospital the previous night as I was told by my doctor at my last appointment. He informed me that my name would be struck out from the list for the day.

 However, when he phoned my doctor, my doctor insisted that my name could not be removed from the list. They checked my blood pressure, exactly what I expected although I had taken my medication the previous night. It was really high.  They made me  take another one, quickly to regulate it. My Doctor arrived just then. 

"But why didn't you check in last night?"

"Doc, I don't like hospitals. I was anxious, checking in last night would have made me more anxious," I told him.

"What's the anxiety for? You'll be okay. Or would you want us to postpone this? I'll only postpone it if you don't feel ready."

I told him I did not want it postponed. There was somewhere really important I needed to be  that day, but I prioritised my health instead, we could not postpone it. He set my cannula. One on the back of my left palm and the other on my right above my wrist on the inner side. This should have been done by the nurses, because of the anxiety I felt, my doctor did it himself while trying to counsel me. 

He instructed one of the nurses to fix my catheter. Another nurse looked on instructing the one fixing it. My Doctor however cautioned them to ensure I did not feel too much pain as I was already anxious. New nurse I guess. In the end, my doctor fixed the catheter himself. It felt weird but I was comfortable with him doing the fixing. That was painful but nothing  compared to the day's pain. My Doctor reassured me that I would be fine before leaving my bedside. 

Fast forward, I opened my eyes to see my siblings standing around my bed. The look on their faces summed it all up. It was past 6pm, I was told. I had just woken up from the worst day of my life. Hours of non-stop pain. The pain of laying on my back in one position for six hours, excruciating pain that I cannot explain but have never ever felt in my life. Yet I fought through with so much strength not of my own but strength from the one who bore all of that pain years ago in order that I may still be in this race called life. 

I was not on the other side. This was real. They were talking to me although I could barely talk and I was hurting all over, I was happy to be alive. Inspite of

the pain, being alive just felt so good. 

The joy of being alive has superceded any other feeling since that Friday, despite the pain I've felt and the challenging period of recovery. 

I'm indebted to him... Dear God, thank you!

#OneDayInApril (Excerpts)

Celebrating  my Doctor, S and A, God used them to bless me.

Thank you to my Brother and Sister for all the love they've shown me these couple of weeks: bathing me, feeding me, cleaning my w..... When I think of how you guys could not eat but pray till I came out and the anxiety I put you through, hmm, sorry.

Thanks to Pastor Steve and Pastor Obed: When I could not remember Psalm 91 in there, you put over two hours of your day on hold to intercede for me till I came out, and the sacrifices that went into that day... You'll tell me,  that's what Pastors are for, but indeed I don't take your sacrifices for granted. 

Some friends are 'quality,' the Mortson sisters.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me Momo, visited, sent me stuff during this period, phoned and prayed with me and for me.

God bless you for the show of love.

FRANCISCA MUR: THE COLOURS HAVE KEPT ME

Again I sit here to flip through this piece that I wrote for you

Thanks for the colours

The colours have kept me

They've taught me to expect the changing scenes of life; to face the bitter kola and sugar cane days.

To take off my crown and cry

To put on my crown and bask in its glory

To tear off my clothes and wipe my pee

To tear off my clothes and wear them in a different way

To adjust when the pages flip and live in my story

The colours have kept me

The story that you're writing with my life

 I read this new chapter beginning with a page that weighs me down and a heavy heart

As I run my eyes across this page,  instead of smiling, I groan and mourn

It dawns on me that you're yet to fail me

The colours have kept me

I trust you to see me through this page of this new chapter

I've won this, I've sailed through, I'm victorious.

Thanks for Francisca Mur

To the Author of my life's book with love

.....Puppishgirl....

EMOR

I remember five years ago, on a Saturday night. my friend Mawufemor, Emor, for short, sent me a text. "Sis, I need Vodafone airtime, could you please send me some?"

I quickly responded "Yes,yes, in a bit." I stepped outside to get her the airtime.

I only got her GHS10  airtime and sent it. I never heard from her. Although it was unusual, I thought she must have been busy and would get back to me when she was free. The following day, I didn't hear from her, it was strange. My friend was quite courteous so I knew she would text back to acknowledge receipt of the airtime. But I never heard from her. 

Her regular "Hey sis, I'm off to class" in the mornings ceased. "Sis, I'm going to bed, chat tomorrow", also stopped. It was weird but do you know what, I never bothered to check up on her. After a few days of thinking my courteous friend wouldn't go quiet on me, I tried reaching her, but her phone was off. That Saturday night she said she had something to tell me, but she couldn't tell me. Was hoping after she got the airtime, she would spill out her worries to me.

Mawufemor fell ill as soon as she received the airtime or so and was rushed to the hospital. She had to undergo emergency surgery on Monday and died in the theatre before the process could begin. I didn't know. I stayed in my house making assumptions and thinking she didn't want to speak to me or acknowledge receipt of the airtime at least. I couldn't attend the funeral because her phone was off the whole time. I also was not aware that she died and was buried in a few days.

It was a shock when her Mum phoned my Mum to inform her about her daughter's death. She could never tell my mum, what killed my friend. A year after her death, we met her Mum at a funeral. She broke down when she saw my sister and I I following our Mum all over the place. "Sister Alice, look how your assets are following you around and mine is laying in the grave." God comfort you, I thought to myself while trying to give her a hug.

For a really long time, I couldn't get over how I let myself get upset and not reach out to my friend before her demise. It was my chance to tell her, how much I loved her and how she had to stay here for her Mum. I grieved my friend for years. Anytime I go to Ho and pass by their house, I literally insult her in my mind. If only she had been able to speak to me that night, I would have asked her not to do it. Society and the rumour mill have succeeded in dictating to people how to live their lives. A child out of wedlock when you're a young girl is abominable in this African society of ours. Girls would rather get an abortion and die in the process instead of living with the shame of carrying a child without the father by their side. 

Sometimes instead of living our lives,  we turn to live it on society's terms. Why are you still childless at your age  why are you still single, all your mates are married. Then we end up making some terrible decisions and settling for trashy men who will treat us like trash. Society drives people to commit suicide when they can actually live.

The major lesson for me was to stop waiting for people to acknowledge receipt or say thank you. It's true that some people are just crass, but genuinely, we must stop looking forward to people texting back and acknowledging receipt. We must look beyond their flaws. My friend was fighting for her life and I was bothered about the fact that she had not acknowledged receipt of my paltry airtime. People are not texting or calling back sometimes for a reason. They aren't only being selective at other times, they are in distress.

Five years on, and I'm certain we could have been talking and laughing because you were a month away from seeing your dream come true when you left. Where's that dude for whom you had to suffer? Definitely with another woman and married by now. Where are you my friend? Under the debris in a box, laying still till eternity. It hurts babes, it hurts that you aren't here. Your mum has never recovered since you left, she's still a mess, she still doesn't know how to live without her only daughter but God is taking care of her.

Everyday I ask myself,  what do I say. I hope your tears are over where you are.  I hope you are resting from the torture and pain of this world. I hope you stopped regretting what happened and have found peace where you are. I have no answers but the lesson, I'll live with forever. No final words, no farewell flowers....

With fond memories of my dear friend:

I miss you my friend.

I saw your pictures today and  have been crying 

Your fine ass, boobs and beautiful smile all faded away and I didn't even get the chance to buy you farewell flowers or even say goodbye.

YOU DESERVE BETTER, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

Deal with your baggage when it comes along 

Speak up when the baggage is overbearing 

When people disappoint you, deal with it

When people mess with your heart and emotions 

Bleed, and heal

When your hubby or boyfriend cheats on you,

Make sure you cry and work on your self esteem 

When those you love die,

Make sure you cry, grieve and heal properly 

When menstruation, childbirth, endometriosis, cyst, fibroids depress you as a woman,

Seek the appropriate help

And make sure you heal properly 

Don't just carry your baggage 

One day, the baggage will be too heavy

Heavy and overbearing 

Overbearing for your heart and mind

You'll start enjoying being alone

You'll neglect your body

Abandon those things that used to give you pleasure 

And drown in a dark world

You may drown completely and never come back

Today is the time to slap people who cause you pain

Spit in their faces if it makes you feel better

Rant and scream if it makes you feel better 

Cry all you can, just make sure you cry

Let it out

But never bottle it in

Don't let the baggage of womanhood turn you into a baggage tomorrow because of unresolved conflicts 

Take care of yourself 

Dear Woman, you must value yourself enough to walk away from verbal abuse and other things that affect your mental health when you can

Don't wait till tomorrow to suffer

Don't do that to yourself 

You deserve better!

Photos Source:Pinterest 

ELEVEN IVFS: WHEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO KEEP FIGHTING

                                                      ' Because life has thrown at me a fight

                                                       a fight only those who engage in can understand

                                                       a fight you engage in to win 

                                                       a fight you have to lose in order to win 

                                                       life's fight

                                                       silent battles

                                                       unseen tears

                                                       a struggle for life's necessities

                                                       a fight you engage in to win

                                                       a fight you have to lose in order to win

                                                       one day, the battle will be won

                                                       when you fight to win and fight no more.....'

                                                                 ...PUPPISHGIRL...

I didn’t really know much about the former Nigerian Beauty Queen and  Pastor Ibidunni Ighodalo, until I read her story on CNN, a few hours after her death. I did some more research on her.

   

I could not believe a certain woman, went through eleven IVFs just to be able to be called ‘Mummy’, eventually got pregnant once and suffered a miscarriage. She finally adopted two children to make her marriage of thirteen years complete (as society would rather have it).

                                           Ibidunni Ighodalo

In an interview with Arise Television, Ibidunni said:“It's such a rollercoaster... It's emotionally draining. It's very expensive... I stopped living and I was just existing....”

“The last one I did worked. I had a set of twins but I had a miscarriage at three months. That was very traumatic, it's one thing to not get pregnant and it's another thing to eventually get pregnant ... and you lose it.”

For her 40 th birthday which would have fallen on July 19, she had planned to help 40 couples faced with the challenge of childlessness be able to have babies too. This evening, while reading Rachel Hollis’ ‘Girl, wash your face.’ it dawned on me that, the life of this woman was filled with lessons. Lessons I could not learn during her existence on earth, but lessons we can all draw from going forward.

 Sometimes, we give up on life too soon. We throw in the towel on our dreams, we stop trying, we stop living. This woman lived and tried 11 times. How many times have you tried and failed at that thing you thought would make your life complete?  People actually stop living when they are diagnosed with a terminal illness, like they have been sentenced to death. Others stop living when they lose something valuable and have to begin all over again, do you have the fighting spirit and urge, to try again and again till the eleventh time?

Also, how many times haven’t we thought as human beings that not having something or reaching a status that society expects us to be, means we’re failures and would do everything even if it meant committing or engaging in illegality to acquire that thing? It isn’t every time you want something that you must have it, through the prescribed route.

Sometimes, you will have to get it via other means. So if you are waiting to have a child, and it isn’t happening, there is always the option of adoption. While you wait for your miracle, why don’t you light up someone else’s life? Be a light to some child in some orphanage who needs a mother or father, or perhaps, adopt that little boy in your family, who lost his dad or that child whose parents have too many offspring, they forget he also matters.

Another significant thing to note about Ibidunni’s story is that, no matter how you pray, wait and try, sometimes, God would bring your miracle in a way you least expect it to happen. There are times, you will never see the glory of the Lord in the way you expect. People have been ill and got the best of treatment and care and prayed that they pulled through to live a normal life again. Yet, there have been times, when they slipped through to the other world and then those they leave behind cry so much and wonder why it happened. The lesson here is that sometimes, healing does not come to us physically, sometimes, your healing actually comes when you are absent from the body and at rest and present with your maker-Deedei Adu’s book, ‘Love that will not let me go’ which I read at a younger age, told a similar story of healing in another form away from the body.

Another lesson from Ibidunni’s life is for spouses especially men, to let their wives fly. Often, in our part of the world, majority of men have felt intimidated by the success of their wives. They would rather pull them down, than stay beside them as ‘steps’ on which they can climb to reach the top. “A man has to be the head, the winner and the star of the family no matter what,” it is often thought. What we forget is, he was created to lead his woman in marriage, and not necessarily be the only star in the family. 

 Ibidunni’s brother inlaw stated at her funeral that: “We were brought up to let our spouses fly, because our father let his wife fly….” And her husband let her fly. Nigeria’s leading Event Planner, founder of a foundation helping women pull through moments of childlessness and overcome the trauma. It was evident in her final moments, as she died in her hotel room, while decorating a COVID-19 isolation centre.  She had helped lots of women have their IVF and finally have children too. Every time, she came up with something she wanted to do and would take the funds from her husband to do so.  He didn’t mind, his only duty by her was to be supportive and let her explore. But how many men actually let their wives fly in reality? 

Some men have their priorities in marrying women achievers, and feed off them-it’s peaceful waiting for her to cater to all your needs instead of getting something to call theirs. Others would for the sake of their ego, marry them and ensure that they stop them from flying. So if you were a Civil Engineer or doctor before he married you, because he came to the table fulfilled and an achiever too, he would find a way to get you to become a stay-at –home mum. Only a few men, confident in their skin let their women fly lest she gets rebellious and call the shots.  This woman’s husband was a total support system who let his wife fly. How many men would let their wives try IVFs 11 times and still fail?

By the fifth time, he would be looking for other alternatives, if he isn’t sterile. There are women outside, who would readily make him babies. This was a man who understood his woman and her needs-having her own baby would make her fulfilled so he would rather try to make her happy than just let it go. How many men still stick and stay, without having other relationships outside wedlock or ‘illegitimate children’ as you would refer to them legally and still watch her fly?

I’m sure like every marriage, they had their ups and bad days but Ibidunni’s brother did mention that, his sister would choose the widower even in her next life, to be her husband, and so would her family choose him again as a son or brother inlaw.  Too many times, we don’t leave people with memories and reasons to choose us again. We end relationships on a bad note, we are at loggerheads with relations, we quit our workplaces on a bad note-we live our lives like we would never cross paths with the people we leave behind again. We treat our spouses and significant other so badly. We scar the people we meet in our life’s journey. We miss the opportunity to make others smile or lend a helping hand when we can. We fail to let the people who matter to us know how much they mean to us, until we can see them no more. Are we giving people a reason to choose us again if they had the chance?

Then who are we personally? What are we doing to leave a memorial behind? I have come to realise that when you leave this world it is over for you, here-this took a while to really sink in properly. When Dela went away, it’s been two years already, I used to remember her every single day, then I went from daily to perhaps twice every week to a month to once a while. God has a way of making us forget our pain and then we eventually learn to live without them. So what you do while you are here really matters. Those things will make the world remember you when they visit your legacies.

 Really, we have just this life that we’re all so much aware of. Nobody knows what really happens after we leave here, but I’m sure you would want to leave nothing, but memories and legacies for the world to still refer to, after you are gone. Whichever way, you choose to do it; write a book, start a foundation to champion a cause, be a volunteer at something, light up the lives of people around you, be a star for the people whose world is filled with darkness. 

When life throws at you, a fight and all you have to do is to keep fighting, giving up is not an option. Remember the story of the eleven IVF attempts!

 Photo Source: Google Photos

COVID-19 IS REAL, STOP BEING CARELESS!

I had been well all day, except that by evening, I felt I was catching a cold. This cold had been lingering on all week when I went to the office after being away for a while, only to meet 2 colleagues with a severe cold  sneezing and coughing. 

A mere cold I thought turned into my worst nightmare within a few hours. I became restless, I couldn't sleep. I suddenly felt very sick. I had a fever; headache, my eyes hurt. Earlier that day I noticed that they looked and hurt like apollo- conjunctivitis. The discomfort associated with it, didn't help my plight. I ended up staying up till about 3.30am. Not even the pain reliever I had taken could relieve me of how I felt.

By morning, I couldn't wake up to get ready for the day. I ended up staying in bed. By now, a look in the mirror  showed my eyes were worse. My doctor friend who always checked up on me in the mornings got the response 'I feel sick, haven't felt this sick in ages.' I explained my symptoms to him and he recommended something for me to get after empathising with me and assuring me that I would be okay. I still couldn't do anything but needed to take breakfast before taking my meds, as I was already on medication before this new feeling of sickness set in.

The cup of milo I was drinking was tasteless. I resorted to add some more milo to my cup. It still didn't taste like anything to me. Worried, I decided to taste the piccadilly biscuit I was having with Mayonnaise spread on it as I did not eat bread. You remember the popular piccadilly biscuit from Secondary school days- Sh3mema. That was tasteless as well with all the mayonnaise spread on it. The slices of pineapple had no taste as well. I finally had to ask my sister whether that biscuit was naturally tasteless, perhaps I was hallucinating. 

My thought process was becoming distorted as well. By now I began to wonder if everything was okay with me. Let me go have a lie down, I would wake up feeling better, I assured myself. Unlike during the night, when I couldn't sleep due to the intense pain and inability to catch my breath, I resorted to sleep my pain away. I must have felt relieved while sleeping for an hour or so, but woke up to the pain again.

Could this be the much-talked about COVID-19? Hell no, I can't have COVID, I haven't been in contact with anyone who has it. I can't have it, I reassured myself.  I began to google the symptoms, that of the new strain included conjunctivitis as reported by some persons. Loss of taste and smell as well and a general feeling of being sick. Don't forget the symptoms that we were already familiar with before the new variance strain. I had to check if I could smell anything, only then did it occur to me that, I had sprayed on my deodorant that morning without smelling it, I hadn't smelled anything that day. But that was normal sometimes when you had the flu or- I quickly sprayed on some perfume, I couldn't smell it. I sprayed on my favourite which I vividly could even imagine smelling in my mind on an ordinary day, not today, nothing was working.

My  friend said to go and get tested for COVID-19. Quite a war it was between us. 'Oh so you want me to get COVID right?' I asked him.

'No loss of taste and smell- those symptoms and you mentioned you haven't felt this sick in ages, I don't want you to get COVID, that's why you need to go get the test done now.' I had no appetite for food either, I ate because I had to take my meds.

We're done talking for the day. Didn't know that my friend would want me sick of nothing less than COVID-19, it baffled my mind. Don't forget I was getting kind of confused and forgetful too. After battling within me and shutting out the friend who thought because he was a doctor, could be recommending a COVID test, I sent for the medication he prescribed and began to self-isolate as he advised earlier.

By Tuesday,  reality was setting in. My friend had to justify why I needed to get the test done, not because he wished the virus upon me, but because I was showing symptoms, did not live alone and the need to get tested early in order to protect those around me. His wanting me to get tested, was for me to also get better, so I stopped overreacting. 

However, those were not days I picked calls or texted people back. I was selective with people I spoke with and wasn't mentioning I was ill. Also, I became angry with my colleagues who had a cold when I went to the office. Above all, I was  angry with people for spreading the virus. 

I was quite sure I had been masking up, washing my hands at the least thing- if you know me very well, I used to wash my hands a million times a day before COVID. A habit my siblings and I picked up from childhood growing up with a mum who was obsessed with washing her hands and would reprimand you for not washing your hands when you touched surfaces, got back home from town etc. I could use a big pack of tissue in just a day. Yes, I would get to work and wash my hands as soon as I stepped out of the car. Use a tissue to open the doors, wipe my work surface with tissue and drops of sanitizer as well as my seat, drop my bag, set up my laptop and off to wash my hands before anything else. I was quite a sight when I got to work, that, even colleagues began to mimic and tease me about it.

Story of my life for days. Not tasting anything I ate or smelling stuff. I got used to the new normal-eating to fill my tummy and not because it tasted delicious. On the journey, I would eat chocolates every hour to check if my taste was restored. I got a tall list of things I could take and do to feel better from my boss who knew people who had recovered from COVID. 

So you see, to me,  I had been taking care of myself until two weeks ago. Look, life has a way of teaching you lessons before the bigger blow- COVID-19 is no respecter of persons; age, colour, race, health status-else some people are already battling with some really serious medical conditions that this virus shouldn't even dare to get close. Yet that same virus has cut short their life's journey.

I know people who have complained about being sick, who disappear or go into hibernation for a while. They never tell you what it is, they only come back strong- no one is willing to disclose their COVID status to you. They would rather be quiet about it. Being quiet about it after you've spread the virus is wrong. You should speak up so that people can contact-trace, isolate in order to prevent further spread and get treated too. Yes, people don't care about you, but the fact that they think or heard you have COVID, would begin to regularly check up on you, because they want to be able to determine how it will affect them as persons-especially when they know they've shared the same space with you lately. That's just human nature, but all of these prevent people from disclosing their status to you. Only a few do, even our MPs aren't doing so.

To sum up, I regained my sense of smell and taste within a couple of days. Regained my appetite for food, so that I would crave for  icecream, goat light soup and my favourite Cheezzy pizza, and post it several times on my status. I felt stronger and healthier within a couple of days. 

I believe the journey to recovery lies with us, every individual and organisation has a role to play-this cannot be government's sole responsibility. Government cannot wear a nose mask for you. Government cannot wash your hands for you. 

There are people who barely wash their hands, not even COVID is making them wash their hands now. There are people who do not own hand sanitizers or have even bothered to invest in one. There are others who do not wear nose masks- regardless of the fact that you could be arrested for not wearing one. Some wear it only when they  are going to a place where they could encounter a Police man, others refuse to wear a mask due to familiarity-oh I'm getting bananas down the street. They do that whole trip without a mask forgetting that the banana seller deals with lots of people in a day and is probably not masked up. Don't mass up at events and people still do.

While you decide to flout the directive on observing the safety protocols,  remember that, you will suffer the pain alone, alone with no one. It's not a good feeling even if you experienced the mildest of symptoms or respiratory infection. Psychologically, it has a toll on you. The worse of it, should be, being in isolation and having no one hug or touch you to say you will be okay. In the hospital, you won't have visitors-incase you decide to be careless. It can get lonely and boring in isolation-think about it before endangering your life and those of others. Money cannot save you, else the prominent would not be succumbing. 

Be sensible a bit, stop being wiser than yourself. No one is immune to COVID-19, if you haven't got it yet, grace has kept you. At least if you don't care or value yourself enough to wear a mask, wash your hands or use sanitizers as and when you can, observe social distancing, think about the lives you're risking by being careless. COVID-19 is real, take care of yourself!

Photo Source: Google Photos 

MY SUGAR IS FOR SUGAR

Yes I'm a writer 

Who loves to write love poems

But I don't write love poems for people

I'm not in love with

Or for people who do not value it

When I pour some sugar

It's for sugar

My sugar is for sugar

For words spoken to someone who is unappreciative 

Of those words are mere words

Just like a gift that's given to someone who does not cherish or value it

I write for minds and hearts that treasure

The writer's efforts, time and talent

When I pour some sugar

It's for sugar

My sugar is for sugar

I write for hearts that understand and speak the language of the heart

Not for treasures stored up elsewhere 

I write a love poem  for love

My sugar pours on to sugar

Brown, white, sugar....

My sugar is for sugar

......Puppishgirl........

May I ask if  your sugar is for sugar too? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo Source:Lydia Whitmore/Getty Images

Before You Decide To Settle

Sometimes we don't see the gold in people. All we see is how ordinary they are. Until years down the line when they become somebody.

I know that guy. He wanted me, he wanted me to be his wife.Yet, I chose Jude over him because he suited my purpose better.He had it all together. Pastor also said he would make me a good husband.

Jude and I spoke the same language. Jerry was from the North.Jude had been there all through, he had been together for 4years.He had supported me every step of the way. I felt like I owed him my life, I was better of settling for something I knew I didn't want.

 I would get used to it, used to being called his wife, I would learn to love him. I quenched the fire that was burning in me, the fire that Jerry had lit up in me, I couldn't tell him how I felt. He made me feel like a goddess, the sun goddess, goddess too much, I didn't know him in ways I had known Jude, I just knew he was my dream man. He became an enigma, and would remain so forever. 

Yet I chose Jude to walk down the aisle with, to be the father of my children, my partner. I'll learn to love him- I settled. I settled to avoid having to explain to my parents why I didn't want to be with Jerry. They would be disappointed, everyone said we looked good together but I knew I was settling, I knew this was not what I wanted, I knew that this step had to be forever together yet I did not want to disappoint anyone. Jude would throw tantrums, he would call me an ingrate so I chose to be someone who would be grateful forever instead. I traded my happiness to settle with a man who lit no fire in me except that I had to be grateful and marry him for making him wait 4years for me.

I cried nights. I tried to be a good wife, very hard. When I saw other men, I wish I had them in Jude. Oh Jerry, I could see the disappointment in his eyes when I showed him my wedding invite. I couldn't tell him, I had decided to settle. 

I cheated on Jude and would cheat again if he had not gone to sleep in a box. Jude did not treat me like the lady I was. He barely opened the door for me or hold out the chair for me to get seated. Jude didn't notice when my boobs were full and heavy, neither could he count the number of pimples that had added up to the existing ones. He barely noticed my new nail polish. 

Jude was a good man but Jerry paid attention to detail. Perhaps because he was really into me. Because he was not my forever to be with, I settled and as I stood beside his grave, I wept not because he was gone. My tears were for all the times I could have walked away and broken his heart to avoid having him break mine now.

I could have explained to my Pastor and Parents that I didn't want to walk this mile with Jude. I wasn't sure of Jerry at the time. The devil I knew seemed better than the angel-what if he didn't want to marry me. I was 33, and was running out of time, or so I thought. They were tears for me and the mistakes I had made with my marriage. They were tears for me that said, Jerry was one of the youngest Ministers in our country at 35, he was never a politician, but look where he's reached. He looked so happy with his wife, they were tears of regret. My heart was broken, that kind of heartbreak that I had never experienced before. Jude, Jude, so you brought me thus far to have me watch you depart in a box.

Too many people have their fantasies of what their ideal marriage should be. Lately, some married people have resorted to advising single people to stay single due to their bad experiences. But, leave people to make their own mistakes, the fact that you weren't lucky doesn't mean someone else would be unlucky.

To the singles who want to get married- Sometimes we decide to settle due to circumstances, make sure what you're settling for is worth it in the end. You don't have to marry someone to please your Pastor or family. You don't have to marry someone out of pity or gratitude, you'll cheat and be miserable for life. You don't have to marry someone based on prophecies.

Marry for the right reasons. Marry because you're convinced that's God's purpose for your life.

 Marry someone who fits into your purpose as a child of God, marry because you can afford to look at them and not think of cheating on them because they are the total package, look beyond today and next year, at the larger picture.  Choose wisely the mother or father of your children. Choose life, choose sunshine, choose happiness, don't settle, you'll be miserable!

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HIS GAME

Sunday Night

Tonight, my boobs feel sour. They hurt. Reminds me of Doctor Dimples. I would have been calling him to say my boobs hurt. He would have picked up while sleeping and I would have been asking the obvious question although I would clearly see he was sleeping before I called. So selfish of me. When I want to talk I forget he needs to sleep. "Were you sleeping?" "Yeah." "Sorry go back to sleep."  "It's okay, I'm already up. We can talk." 

Then usually the important reasons people have for waking others wouldn't be my case. I would be calling to talk about nothing in particular and that conversation could drag on for an hour.

Dear God, I'm supposed to wake up oneday and avoid calling that number or texting it. I'm supposed to wake up and get used to him not reaching out to me, to check up on me in the morning? I'm supposed to pull through my day without hearing from him to ask if I've eaten or how my day is going. I'm supposed to keep my aches to myself and not tell my friend. What did I miss? He knew the right words to say. Relax. He only saw the sunshine, nothing less! 

This hurt. The thought of losing my friend hurt. The thought of knowing I couldn't vent to him, hurt. The thought of knowing he wasn't there to understand or support me when no one else did hurt. Your go-to person. 

When you lose people in your life, it isn't the fact that they left that makes you sad. It's the friendship you miss. The hard part is how to pull through without them. It doesn't matter if they were not your man. These kind of friendships cut deep. The kind where you are cared for and cherished. You need time to heal from the hurt of losing your friend.

 It hits differently especially when you realise it was a game to him, that you were his game. Nothing less! 

Exerpts from HIS GAME

I'm comfortable sharing exerpts from 'HIS GAME' now because I finally finished putting it together. Will post the full story on Wattpad for a while just to see how it will fare in the next few days.

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Written In Gold

When the clock struck midnight and the applause got louder, while they rejoiced, her heart burdened her.

Her heart was burdened and she bothered the Lord with nothing except for him to See her through. For she knew if she survived the first month, if she won the month's battle, every other thing would fall in place.

"See me through Lord Jesus

There's a race I must run, there are victories to be won.

I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord

I will see the goodness of the Lord here, in the land of the living," she whispered. 

Too many times we don't cherish what we have till we're on the verge of losing it. She wanted this to be a bad dream but it was true. This was reality. But while she handed it to God,  she knew she had no control over it again. He was in charge and those he had gifted to rework it for her got to work.

She lay, keeping hope, humming songs of Faith..Suddenly, it was over. The struggle had ended and she lay thanking him. She was there, there, alive. 

Gradually the voices faded off, and became distant as she drifted off to sleep.

Exerpts

#Chapter 9

#WrittenInGold

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2020 Musings

This year has brought with it lots of lessons. Reflecting on the twelve months, draws my attention to significant lessons the year, 2020 taught me as an individual.

Today, I share my top lessons of the year.

One major lesson I learned this year is that you must give people space and time to grieve and heal.

This lesson was learned the hard way though.  Usually when I learned people were going through a particular situation,  I would reach out to them and if they didn't pick the call, I would text them just to let them know my thoughts and prayers were with them. Some would take a while to respond while others would never respond until that phase was over for them. 

I must have thought they didn't want to respond but I've come to understand that people need space and time to heal. 

In 2020, there've been moments I've cherished my space than answering calls or texting back. Somethings are better worked out alone. Grieve your loss alone, endure your pain alone - so you can't just be bothered about who wants to talk to you or not. People in those times look out for their best interests first before others. Learn to leave them alone. It doesn't mean they don't value you as a person or the effort you put in to reach them. It is just appropriate to bear their pain alone in that moment and you can only be there for them by respecting their privacy.

Another significant lesson I learned was how to bear your cross without grumbling. What a shock it was to have woken up to the sudden demise of actor Chadwick Boseman. I learned from that experience to fight your battles in silence and not tell the world except those who matter- of cause, (family, who you're sure have your back). I've lived each day fighting my battles silently. The world does not need to know what fights you, you only arouse pity-that's where it ends, the world cannot resolve your problems for you. There are certain funerals we attend out of pity and not because we loved the dead while they were here . Be selective in sharing your problems with people. I know out of frustration, you might be tempted to tell everyone your story, but listen, you won't be down forever- it's better to hold on to it.

Again, live your dreams while you're still alive. Live it t the fullest.Chadwick lived and lived till his last moments. What's your excuse for not becoming a dancer or DJ? Remember, you're still in the race until you reach your finish line. Don't let that challenge or disability get in your way.

Also, learn to understand when people say no. People are fighting different and silent battles. Battles they cannot explain or disclose to you. When they sit at one spot, they have a reason for choosing to sit there. Don't ask them to move to the next spot for your sake. Accept people's decision. Our bodies are different-perhaps you can jog all the way from Oyarifa to Aburi, I may not be able to jog but rather, walk. In summary, don't push people to bend their rules for you, you don't know their situation or condition.

Who ever envisaged 2020 would be a year of having to doll up in masks and observe social distancing? Who ever thought your loved ones could be ill in the hospital, yet, you could  not visit or be there to take care of them because of COVID?  Who ever imagined billions would die from a certain virus? 

You're still here, isn't that something to be happy about? Forget the goals you set but could not achieve, try again in the new year. Those in the grave cannot get the chance to try again, you can. Strength and comfort to those who lost loved ones in 2020. Let 2020 guide your new year- may it propel you to chase and live your dreams to the fullest you can. 

Happy 2021!

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SPOILT MEN!

I remember growing up, my dad would wash my panties even at JHS 2 and he would cook for us. He found delight in cooking for us especially when my Mum was not around. He did virtually everything for us. I grew up wanting a man like my dad.

 In my eyes, he was perfect. 

He taught me that a girl's real dance must be with her Dad. I remember us always having a dance competition where my siblings were the Judges.

He knew the answer to every single question we would ask him. He lied to me or so that knowledge was in every single book. He made me read from John Grisham to Jackie Collins. He bought them and did not limit me. My first table lesson was from my Dad. He taught my siblings and I to use our cutlery correctly and he ensured that you used it at the table and he would stress that you ate quickly but not in a way that will choke you.

These current crop of  men can't even cut up water melon or tomatoes. They think that being able to afford a woman's need is all there is to manhood. Some think that it's a woman's duty to clean and  cook for them. They can't even make an omelette to save a life. 

They burden their women with everything from cutting their nails to fixing their meals. Spoilt men!. Their manhood is only in their financial muscles and not opening doors for women or pulling chairs for them to get seated. They want women to lick their footsteps.

Dear men, a man who can perform some basic culinary skills is not only a turn on, but will help prolong his woman's life. 

Dear women, teach your sons to cook, clean and  treat women like the English men do. We're tired of all these crop of badly behaved men parading our homes and streets. It's nauseating.

......Puppishgirl....

To the men who are not spoilt and are real gentlemen, we adore you!

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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOU LATELY ?

What have I done for me lately?

Do you sometimes stop to ask yourself this question as a woman?

Sometimes we become overwhelmed by the pressures of life and womanhood 

Periods, pregnancy, childbirth

Taking care of our men, families

Ensuring we're giving our best in our various fields of expertise etc.

Sometimes taking care of our men and families becomes our top priority to the point where we forget to pause

To ask what we've done for ourselves lately

This week, read a new book and lots of articles on personal growth and development, get a new look, go to the spa and get pampered(take money from him for it if that's how you can rock you)

Go get a drink by yourself- all alone to clear your head and enjoy your 'me' time

Look out for you- instead of the world

Sometimes we forget to look out for ourselves 

No one can take care of you if you fail to take care of you first

So while you run around in this crazy world, remember to pause for a moment to ask yourself if you've done anything for yourself lately.

Remember who you are....

A woman 

You light up the world 

Keep shining woman!

...Puppishgirl...

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THE TRIUMPH IN LOSING

 When they choose others over us we cry and grieve

When they dump us

We wail mourn and lose ourselves 

Lose and drown ourselves in self pity

Till we're on the verge of losing ourselves 

When they step out on us

We ask questions and grieve for a while

A day

A year

Five years

Yet someday we'll get the drift

They had to go away to prevent us from getting permanently scarred

Scarred for life

To stop us from enduring the torture of seeing them in a box

In a box where they'll journey on and break our hearts

Sometimes God has a reason for letting people reject you

So you can cry now and avoid grieving later

It is called life

It is called love

In loving others

We lose sometimes 

At other times we win

Not every loss is a defeat 

In some losses you triumph 

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THERE IN MY DREAMS

Today, I woke up with images of you in my mind’s eye

Because you were in my dreams

As we walked arm in arm

I wasn’t sure you wanted that,

Because you were in my dreams

It was a dream

In reality, you wouldn’t speak to me

I wonder why I keep seeing you

There in my dreams

Physically, I’ve let go

Spiritually I’ve let go

Mentally I’ve let go

But you were there,

There in my dreams

My emotions are all over the place

I wish you could touch my soul and see how purple it is

Purple for a dance I had with the sun

The sun who has become irreplaceable

A dance that took forever to forget

I want another dance with the sun

You were in my dreams

There in my dreams

If you gave me another dance

If you let me dance with the sun again

If you let me have a dance with the sun ever again

Why am I so distraught

What is this that I want

Another dance with the sun

Sweet, memorable and lasting

You were in my dreams

There in my dreams

…………………Puppishgirl…………..

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TO THE WOMAN YOU ARE: YES YOU CAN!

Dear Young Woman,

You don't have to play dirty politics to reach the top
You don't have to start off as an MP at 30 to reach the top
You don't have to dance in a strip club or feature in a porn movie to reach the top
The 'top' is in your mind and your ability to dream
To have a dream, hold it dear, and work on it, to ensure you live it

                                                  Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

If you just live and focus,
You will reach the top
Sometimes, God doesn't follow the procedure
He jumps the steps in the procedure
He makes you sit somewhere and he draws you into the light where you will get noticed
And when he is done
Like a sky full of stars, he ensures you just become that very important
That's you
If you can dream, wait and work
To the Woman you are
Yes, you can!


Celebrating Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her unveiling as running mate to the Flagbearer of the largest opposition party in Ghana.
I don't care about politics, all I know is 'you are a woman.'
Cheers to womanhood!

....Puppishgirl....

A GENTLE REMINDER

I like to read the words you wrote over and over again although someone

would think I shouldn’t

I like to read it over and over again

not because it’s the most pleasant thing I ever read

not because it’s the only piece I’ve got to read

but to remind myself daily

of who I am

and how much I’m worth

to bring me back to the realisation that I deserve better

to make me in awe of the strength I wield

to remind me constantly that an eagle must only soar with eagles and not feed with the hens

to remind me that I am a woman whose worth should not be determined by how someone chooses to

treat me

to remind me that while you exploit me

there’s someone out there who is gentle and kinder with their words

to remind me that this thing called womanhood is a blessing

to set me on the path to the mountain top

to remind me that I’m a woman who should not be scorned

to remind me that I’m gold

that I deserve better

to remind me of the day I set out on this path

a path to freedom to own my thoughts and feel my emotions

a path to strength where my strength is in my thoughts

thoughts of who I am

of who deserves me

of what deserves my emotions and attention

thoughts not to allow the impact of your your exploitation fill my head

not to allow the impact of your ill treatment push me under the bridge

a path to freedom

free from the bondage of abuse today and tomorrow

for now and the future

free from limitation

with no limits to my tomorrow

to clip my wings and prevent me from ever flying

I begrudge you not

rather I’m grateful for such a time

a time when womanhood will be scorned for another woman

a time when masculinity will be perceived as 'bolster' or 'benefit'

grateful for the reminder

the reminder to embrace and celebrate who I am

the reminder that I’m worth better

a reminder of my own strength drawn in my weakness from the wells of a dictator

a dictate to feminity

a gentle reminder

a reminder.....

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FRANCISCA MUR: THANKS FOR THE COLOURS

I sit here to flip through this piece that I wrote for you
Thank you for the womb that birthed me
Thank you for all the years you've given me
Thank you for the things I have that I need
for the things I wanted which I have and for
the things I want which I'm yet to see
Thank you for all the tears and laughter
Thank you for the pins and needles
for the lonely nights and cuddles
Thank you for the spice and sugar
for the cold and warmth
for the dark times and the golden sunshine moments
thank you for the colours
for the colours of the story you're writing with me as the protagonist
for the colours of today and beyond
Thanks for Francisca Mur
Thank you for the colours
To the author of my life's book with love...

April 7, under lockdown in the era of the COVID-19 panademic..God is still ahead!
Happy birthday to all my birthday mates especially Duke Bright-Kaitoo, Maame, Obasi, Teddy...
Everyone, have a house party and have a blast!
Ghost Papa's Pizza sender,  please I don't like Papa's Pizza, I prefer Eddys. God bless you already!

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YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND!

The other day, as a prelude to my birthday, I started sharing with you my lessons over the past three decades.

I couldn't share more after that because I have been busy engaging my internet service provider in a banter but I'm back to share my thoughts.

So here's another major lesson.

"Find God."
Find your God, on this journey, you will need him. You will need him in good times and bad times. You will need him through the storm and through the day.

I make finding your God  part of your life's journey because I have come to learn that we all need God in our lives.  Whatever your religious belief. I reiterate, I'm a christian.

I have lost so many loved ones on this journey, at their farewell services, one phrase has cut across; "We know you are in a better place." At times it was "God be with you till we meet again" the other one that baffles my mind is the "We love you but God loves you most" then "We know you are in heaven smiling down on us."

Look, no matter what you do, you shan't live here on earth forever. All these farewell messages point to God. I'm yet to attend a funeral where they virtually do not mention God. So if in death, you are expected to be with God, how do you be with someone who is a complete stranger to you? Find your God while you are here. Develop a relationship with him now, so that when your loved ones bid you farewell, and hope you indeed have gone to be with God, that would be the case.

Growing up in a Christian home, we started so well, along the line, life's escapades stole us away and we drifted but thank God for grace.

Because you don't know when you will need God, you had better find him early. Find him in these times of the pandemic when nations are seeking and finding him. Don't just live.. find God!

Another lesson is to be in awe that "people will not treat you the same way you treat them, treat them well any way."
So I remember years ago, when I applied for an online Proofreading job for non English speakers. I had arranged with a friend, one who was constantly propelling me to chase my other dreams. We would spend hours talking about how to reach those dreams, we got along because we shared similar talents. He was going to be on standby during the exam which was online, and where I needed help, he would text me the answer.

In the middle of  the exam, I got confused or so and contacted him. His response, "I'm sorry this is an exam for you, I can't help." In the middle of the paper, wow, I thought. I quickly phoned my friend Rina.  I wasn't even sure she would pick my call as she had a busy job because firstly, she was the one I was going to make that arrangement with, I didn't involve her because of her busy job.  Note that, I had no previous arrangements with Rina, but she picked up.  I only told her I was confused about something I was working on and the answer to choose. She endorsed my chosen answer. It was snappy and that was it.

When the exam was over was when I had the chance to think about what had just happened. A friend I had arranged with had backed out in the middle of the paper. He never gave me an explanation for his behaviour-I never asked. I moved on with our friendship.

I told another friend about it, I actually did not understand why he would pull out without an explanation in the middle, knowing how much I wanted that job and he reiterated that lesson to me. "People will not always have your back like you do theirs so you should learn to be independent."

Again, sometime late last year, I was applying for a course and needed to write a personal essay. I put it together and again fell on this same friend since he is in academia and was in  a better position to tell me whether the essay made sense or not.  He wanted to know whether it was for my Masters etc... You know the prying questions people ask when they want to know what you are up to. Unfortunately, I have become too private a person, it's a privilege knowing what I'm up to. I did not expect that he would be of help. I had sent it to some other people awaiting their response and he was one of those, although I was open to disappointment from him in particular, yes I was. I'm sorry but I couldn't help it. All the others got back to me.

I was right. He came back to say he had lectures all day and needed to teach so he would get back to me later. I heard from him later endorsing exactly what I had written. No editing. By then I had  already submitted my application  Months on, your guess is as good as mine.

While on this journey, you are your biggest cheerleader, and most reliable friend. People will fall back on their words with no explanation. They would still want to be considered friends and still ask for favours when they know you can help them but they won't be there for you. So you are either in with them or you are out.

Another major lesson for me has been "Don't tell people your business secrets, ideas or plans."  My friend, Ama(not her real name though) called me up one afternoon asking to partner with me on a project I was embarking on. She sounded genuine, according to her, she had the urge to start something and would want to partner with me instead. I was not selfish. I shared my ideas with her and the challenges of what she so wanted to venture into. She asked questions where she was unclear. Days on, she came back asking for the name of my project. That was the last time she spoke to me about that particular project. The next time I realised, she was on social media, didn't have the creativity to choose her own name, she had to steal a part of mine. Copied exactly everything in the pictures I sent her from costume to everything and she owned it for herself. Thankfully, I never told her about my goals and reasons for starting that project. I did not tell her about my methodology for executing the project, my long and short term goal  and those would later become the deal breaker for me.

Stop sharing your ideas with people who disguise themselves as aspiring shareholders or partners, whatever... Until there has been some sort of a 'Contract' binding you both, where you can sue for breaches in future if you have to. Don't share your ideas with people based on trust. You don't owe anyone! You are your own best friend!

Will be back to share my other lessons till then, don't forget to stay home if you can.

Well if you live in Ghana, you don't have a choice. Wash your hands often with soap under running water, cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough and dispose it off immediately. Sanitize your hands and of course, avoid touching your face....

Find something worth doing with your time during the lockdown so you don't die of boredom.




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HOLDING ON TO YOUR DREAMS: YOU'LL GET THERE...

It's five days to my 3...? birthday and I thought I would use these few days to share with my readers some of the real life lessons I've learned in my three decades on earth.

Holding on to your dreams. I learned this lesson over and over again.
Growing up, I always said I would be a Celebrated writer, a Lawyer, a Sports Journalist, a Flight attendant...errm what again.

All those fantasies you have as a little girl.

When I left Legon, one of the things I wanted was to work in the Media space because I always wanted to go to Journalism school after SSS. Yet, my Alice would have none of that. She said I was her first and my siblings were going to take after me, a hitch or deviation from the norm was precedent set for my younger siblings, thus I ended up studying for a degree in Psychology and Political Science.

After Legon, I couldn't find a media job immediately, obviously, all the things I needed to do to prepare me for a media job were lacking on my CV at the time. Where was I when people were honing their skills on Radio Universe? After National Service, I decided to try my other passion. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Secret Seven, All the Dean Koontz books and loved the sound of being a lawyer because you just had to read I thought. So I tried pursuing my law dream.

My first attempt, I would fail. I passed on my second attempt. How fulfilling it was to see my name, the 11th on the notice board of the University of Ghana Law Faculty. I had passed out of over 1000 applicants, I would discover later that I had to put that dream on hold until years later.

When I found a media job that brought to bare my writing skills, I was the only female among the men. Relegated to the background, probably the least of the best. If I would survive, I had to fight the norm. Women are the weaker sex, women cannot work under too much pressure, women need days off to marry, make babies and even on their period.

I held onto my dreams. Generally, what keeps me motivated as  a person, is for people to say I cannot make it. That, sounds like a challenge. I would prove you wrong and it becomes what propels me on to success.

My mother would tell me while I was a teenager, that the things people say I cannot do are the things I can actually do. That has stuck with me. I however thank God for the misplaced priorities of being in a Science Class. That taught me to dream and dream and work on my dreams because I realised then that I was in a place of not belonging where I struggled and struggled.

So for everyone I have met on this journey called life. For everyone who looked down on me academically, career wise, relationship, financially, socially whatever, thank you for pushing me to becoming the best Elikem I'm becoming. Your discouragements and times of beating me down with words have shaped me on my life's journey.

The other day, a friend, someone I've been on the same show with several times- people like that challenge you to come really prepared because their analysis of a particular book can send you wondering if you read the book at all. So, Regina put up a status on Whatsapp asking people to tell stories of dreams they held dear while growing up. People who shared their dreams were already living them, while others had veered off completely and others were finding their feet gradually. It made me realise the essence of holding on to your dreams.

I totally shelved my dreams and worked in different fields until I realised that in those fields, I did not find fulfillment, in those fields, I worked for the money, in those fields, I needed to only survive.

Today, I wanted to remind you that, after reading all the stories that Regina put up on her status the other day, one thing made sense to me, if we held on to our dreams, reminded ourselves that these are dreams we hold dear, and want to see through, if we woke up daily even if it took years, if we list them down and read them to ourselves and pasted them beside our beds, constantly reminding ourselves that, these dreams must come true. If we worked on them, no matter how long and how tough, if only we held on tight to them, then one day, those dreams would come true.

True in so many ways. If not how you envisaged it, even bigger and better. But once we stop dreaming, we stop living. Once we stop dreaming we're like chaff before the wind. Once we stop dreaming God stops coming through for us.

So I don't know what you might be going through. Did you reach your dreams? Are you on your way? Can you hold on and not stop dreaming? Could you still keep hope alive? Could you remind yourself that you are "amazing," " you can do it,"  " you can be anything" if you dream and believe it, you don't have to live according to the dictates of people who beat you down with words. You will get there.

You will get there. I'm personally not there yet. I haven't reached my dreams but then I just shared with you the power of holding on to your dreams. Dream on, I know you will get there.




Photo Source: Google Photos
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown: You just write like your head no dey...