19 years in 9 minutes

- [ ] Looking at the past 19 years that I’ve been here on earth, I can say nothing but thank you to God and my lovely parents for the life they gave me… I couldn’t ask for anything better

- [ ] Looking at the past 18 years, I’m grateful for the sort of education I was given. It molded me to who I am and who I’m growing to become

- [ ] And 17 years ago till now? It’s been a really nice one for me. Having to be a child everyone wanted the best from… school, family church e.t.c. I couldn’t ask for a better immediate environment

- [ ] 16 years ago happens to be a year I have no memory about but I doubt it was a year lesser than the rest

- [ ] 15 years ago was when my writing journey started, unknown to me. It was the first time I wrote anything meaningful with my pencil (It was my full name)

- [ ] And if I’m to look back at 14 years ago, I was giving meaning to life already. Wanting to grow to become a barrister, “standard living” had to be my best song as at the time (the desire for a comfortable life has just always been there)

- [ ] I smile and am proud of me remembering what kind of child I was becoming as at 13 years ago, a happy child with happy people around from her parents, to her siblings, her teachers, the helps at home e.t.c.

- [ ] 12 years ago was my first ever hard time in life. I mean, being in primary 3 where you had to learn in a faster pace than you did in other classes and with a strict teacher at that! It has to be a memorable period in my life

- [ ] And 11 years ago, it was when I decided to be “that girl”. Of course, my dad always spelt out the uselessness of beauty without brains to his daughters and to enhance this, there was always a prize for who did the best at the end of each term. I started with getting an 80% in my 3rd term result in primary 4. That earned me my first ever dictionary (maybe because I performed best in English language)

- [ ] 10 years ago?? I think was the second time my writing journey was hinted… correcting your teacher’s notes, having that particular classmate you were dragging with to be the head of the class, having your essays being used to rate the rest of the class e.t.c. It stabilized me for a long while and I’m really grateful to my father for this.

- [ ] And 9 years ago… was the first time I had a change of phase in my life. I mean, living in a very small world consisting of just my family members, school mates & teachers and church members, and then my father waking up on a random morning to change my school was some sort of heartbreaking period (I mean, why was I at loggerheads with my dad??). We concluded I was not having a change of school till I was ready and although I cannot keep regretting but I stayed back in my preferred school and watched my sister move out of the state to school.

- [ ] And yes, 8 years ago was one of my happiest years. You know the feeling of finally overcoming a particular rival for years? I had that feeling for a very long time and till now.

I accomplished a goal I set about 3 years back and the feeling was more than amazing, especially with it being with a very narrow escape

- [ ] I look at 7 years ago and am way more proud of myself. Taking such a spontaneous and big decision of taking up music from school, meeting and getting to work with artistes e.t.c. and till tomorrow, I’ll always be open to going back to an orchestra training

- [ ] Looking back at 6 years ago, I’m happy and grateful for the gift of family and environment I’ve been given. Going into art department because I am sure of my weaknesses and strengths and not just because everyone felt I was smart enough to handle science department,

- [ ] Hmmmm, thinking of 5 years ago? I think that was when adolescence had a hold on me. You know, feeling like a big girl and all…

- [ ] And 4 years ago? 4 years ago is and will always be the number one highlight of my life; everything changed and I can’t help but wonder “as how??” almost all the days of my life, but what’s that saying again? “Man proposes and God disposes”

- [ ] I had a shattered heart looking back at 3 years ago. It was a year that scarred my mother and her kids for life but what can we do except push through life like we should

- [ ] And 2 years ago, it was a period I decided to “grow” and of course I did meet a bunch of wrong people in this process but I’m pretty glad they are all out of here now and I’m happier that  I’m experiencing a different level of growth now

- [ ] Just 1 year ago was also a period where things kept on going south for us all (my mother and her children). It was so tough everyone was crying at the same time at home and there was no one to comfort the other. Funny right, because we humans tend to forget that weeping endures for the night but joy comes forth in the morning, and with this at the back of my mind, I try to push through life knowing full well that joy comes in the morning. 

 

And are we going to talk about this year? I will be saving that for next week.

Happy birthday to Ify!