Skip to main content

How I Spent My Valentine

That's me in my office, last friday, two days before Val. Looking at this picture,  it appears I have no worries or cares in the world. 
This year's Valentine found me in one of my friends home.Right from my teenage years, I've been attached to couples and their kids. I must admit that I learned alot doing this. You get experience from experiences.

I wanted to have a unique valentine this year and out of a lot of choices I decided to spend it, even if it's a couple of hours, with a family I've known for a long time. It had been approximately four years since i last saw them, so I decided on that fateful day, February 13, 2010 to pay a visit to them.
As I prepared to go to their home in Captain, Abulegba, I had a flash back; 
Seven years ago, a set of twins was born to the family of Daniel Odeh and barely two months later, I got to know them through one of my Mom's friends. I also knew they needed help taking care of their children; since both parents are workers.So I volunteered. Within weeks, I'd grown attached to the twins, taking care of them as if they were mine. Till date I don't know why, but I feel like they are a part of me somehow. Very few people knew those kids, especially Gift,the second of the twins, wasn't mine.She was and still as beautiful as she's smart as u can see in the picture above plus she's also my favorite. I loved holding her, just holding her.I love putting her first and she loved having me carry her.I call her the next Oluchi; the famous Nigerian international model. There's Precious, the firstand the most troublesome. She's the daddy's girl, likes getting what she wants.
Over four years, since they moved from our neighbourhood, there's been two additions; Samuel and and Mercy, 5years and 2years respectively.
When I got to their house, I felt a sense of coming home. It was a great feeling. Their mother, Oluchi Odeh couldn't stop hugging me, calling to her neighbours, telling them her long lost "child" has finally returned.The twins have grown alot since I last saw them. I nearly wept, overcome with emotion. The twins have grown into big girls at 7years each, but still they recognised me. 

I wouldn't have spent my val any other way, I later realised. I got to rethink and re-strategise myself. That weekend, for the first time in my life I knew I've never done anything for myself. That I've been taken alot for granted

In that tiny, quiet neighbourhood I found answers I'd been looking for. I learnt about the family's challenges and how they overcame it, they are still overcoming and they will overcome. That family is a far cry from what it was 5years ago. And with God's grace and their hope, which wouldn't dim, they will get though this phase of their lives.
It's funny how bad you think your problem, no, challenges are, until you look, hear and see what other people are going through, you wouldn't really know how lucky you are.
At the end of my stay, the next day, the children didn't want me to go but I knew I had to go. Albeit reluctantly, i left, with a promise to come back and a naira note for biscuits, which wasn't satisfactory to them. 

P.S: I used these pics as a reminder of my stay with them. It was magical and memorable at the same time.Time, indeed tells all and changes all things.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My First Day In Ikoyi Prison

Hello guys, I was led to join the Prison Ministry in my church many moons ago. I had a desire to help people in many ways by providing resources,  my time, etc. Serving there has been a blessing.  Ikoyi Prison Entrance My first experience at Ikoyi Prison, Falomo was enriching. I left home early to avoid the usual Third Mainland Bridge traffic so that I could make it to the Prison and join my team mates on time so I was feeling drowsy. I was surprised when my team mate said I should not worry that the sleep would disappear as soon as we step in. She was right. I forgot the sleep and was emotional all through our stay/service. Before we entered the facility, we were thoroughly searched. Azzin!! Head to toe something. No phones allowed. No sharp objects either. Then I saw the men.  There were so many men. So many hungry and hopeful gazes at us. We were led to the Church, yes, there are two churches and a mosque in that facility. I was impressed an...
Post a Comment
Read more

Customer Service Talk with Jane

  The not so huge secret is out! I have been sharing some business tips on this blog but I am more passionate about Customer Service and I am very vocal about this not because of my years of experience working as a Customer Service Executive but because Nigerian vendors like to test our patience and I have experienced too much of it to ignore. I have also been hosting talks on a Whatsapp group for a while now where I share some tips and my Customer Service experience, answer questions business owners have and how to resolve customer complaints satisfactorily. I am excited to share publicly that I will be hosting another Customer Service Talk on March 6, 2022 by 8pm. Attendance is free and virtual(Google Meet) but you have to register. See link below: https://forms.gle/Jp9cTX6fTLNUzpnf6 See you there!
Post a Comment
Read more

Don't Keep Your Customers Waiting

Feedbacks like the above aren't good for business growth as they discourage other "intending" Customers. You should not keep Customers waiting whether you own a kiosk or a conglomerate.  We have terrible and incompetent policymakers in Nigeria whose policies crumble businesses, but business owners should play their part and ensure they keep their businesses afloat by keeping loyal Customers satisfied.  When you satisfy your clients, they would not leave. They will bring more clients to you saving you the cost budgeted for Advertisement and Promotion. One of the parts you need to play well is to hire willing and loyal staff. I didn't believe tales of few good or employable people until I started helping employers to hire people. The labour market is not encouraging, yes, but you should keep searching. You can use job sites well, give them your requirements and pay the applicable fee needed to get what you want. You can also headhunt after proper due diligence. If you d...
Post a Comment
Read more