+1: What am I grateful for?

Yesterday was 25th. The day I was born. My birthday! Birthdays are for celebrations, but I didn’t have anything planned. I would have loved to call a few friends, buy some shayo, beers and pepper soup but I had to tell myself “No need; there’s rice at home” for obvious reasons.

So, like any other weekday, I showered and headed for the office. In the course of curating content to quickly push to social media for our beloved audience, I stumbled on this article. In it, I found the words “Write down things you are grateful for” and something hit me. I don’t know what it was but the hit was so hard I started having memories of childhood. Mostly memories of bad times. Tears started forming in my eyes. I almost started crying 😢.

There and then, I realized there was a lot to be grateful for. I’ll try to outline some — some because I forget things a lot, especially people’s names 😔, and I can’t possibly fit everything about my entire life in a single post.

CHILDHOOD

• I was always plagued with typhoid. There was a time I spent 7 days at the General Hospital in Badagry (where I born and raised). I’m grateful typhoid didn’t kill me.
• I fell and hurt my mental protuberance 🙄. I’m grateful I survived the surgery.
• I fell from a tree while wrapped around a big branch like a monkey. The big branch landed on my chest. I lost my voice momentarily. I’m grateful I can still talk.

PRE-TEENAGER

• I was in JSS 1 or 2. Not sure! I came first in class. I couldn’t believe it! I’m grateful for being top.
• Again, I fell and hurt my mental protuberance. Same spot. It was stitched up. Again, I survived!

TEENAGER

• I was in SS1 or 2. Not sure! I was in the Chemistry Lab with classmates doing practicals. A test tube containing chemical was in my hand (or Saheed’s, Lanre’s, Adaha’s…can't remember). Then we added another chemical in the test tube and then the mixture/substance came rushing out (they called it “effervescent” or something) and got into my eyes. Chemical was in my eyes! We washed and washed and washed my eyes with water. I’m grateful I didn’t go blind!
• I was termed stubborn. They still made me a school prefect. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve, and lead!

POST-TEENAGER/YOUTH

• Missing scripts. Failed exams. Two extra years! I’m grateful I finally graduated and received my National Diploma (Thank you, Bisola).
• Industrial training. From 5k/month to 50k/month. I’m grateful for the unexpected increase.
• Threat. Fears. Flashbacks of my National Diploma days. I’m grateful HND was smooth, in the end.
• Job. Immediately after school. I’m grateful
• Youth Service. No issues. I’m grateful (Thank you, Saheed)
• Jos. I’m grateful for the protection, fun, etc. Shit, I miss J-Town. (Thank you, Daser)
• Spent a month in Abuja. On my way back to Jos, almost had an accident. My heart was literally in my mouth. Grateful for safety!
• Back in Lagos. Got a job almost immediately. Grateful for connection (Thanks Nwanne)
• I was on a bus still loading passengers. One car loses control and rammed into the bus. Grateful it was only headache I had.

I’m grateful for family, friends, colleagues. I’m grateful for life!

This post was written under the influence of “Jesus, I need you” by Hillsong Choir.