FAMILY FIRST

BY: ADA
                             

The year has finally ended and I honestly can’t wait to have a good holiday to relax and have fun. This Christmas is by far the worst ever!!! You will not believe it, the gifts are not flowing in the way they ought to. Last year was the bomb, it was the best ever, I had a promotion at work, had an amazing man in my life and my clients kept sending in lots of gifts.

 I must confess, I am a little jealous of my colleague’s desk right now; it just keeps gulping so much; well what you will expect from someone that handles Procurement and Logistics. Everyone is always trying to buy their way through for next year but you can’t really blame them. Abeg, that’s their business jor; I have finally decided to go home for the holiday, I guess it will make me happier and put my head straight.

Two weeks is long gone already and remembering every moment of it gives me peace and puts a smile on my face. I enjoyed complete family time, lots of laughter, sleeping on the same bed with my siblings, cooking together and the best of it all was having those juicy gists with mum on all those issues she had stored for a long time. Most times the argument we had always made me feel as if we were in a Law Court but the laughter we had during each argument reminded me that we were in Chief. L.O. Okoye’s Household.

We are truly blessed; our family is filled with so much love and having a father like mine who is completely liberal makes me have not just an open mind but helps me speak comfortably with people when I need to.

Although I had earlier in the year told mum that I might not be home for the Christmas Holiday period but she persuaded me to come home. All I wanted to do was to have a long distant holiday far away from friends and family. I really wanted to travel to Dubai, Paris or South Africa but I thank God I went home, not because I got to see all my siblings again but I learnt several lessons from mum.

The first lesson I learnt was patient; you will not believe it but my Dad missed my siblings and I so much that he did not want us to go back to our respective locations. He got so serious and insisted that we had to stay for an additional day. In all honesty I found what he was saying so ridiculous and told him that we had to go back to work. In anger he simply said “If they chase you from work you can come back to my house” I found what he said so amusing and busted out in laughter but I must confess; I feel so bad I reacted in that way. As at that time I laughed, all I was wondering was why I had to come back to his house and leave my perfectly structured job!

After I had foolishly laughed at what he said I told him that it was not possible but he ironed my siblings and I. To make matters worse he prevented us attending an occasion we had already prepared for. I was so furious and started remembering why I wanted to travel far away from home. I just did not want an environment where I would be controlled or even told what to do. How can Dad tell me when I should go back to work? He did not help me in getting the job neither did he help me sit for the test or interview. Parent’s sha!!!!!! They too they like unnecessary wahala, which kind thing be this one now?

As I was dwelling in my anger, mum entered my room and with a very soft tune she sat on my bed and told me that she was very disappointed in the way I reacted. “Never respond to your Dad in that manner ever again”. At first I was so shocked and wondered why she was speaking like that. She continued “Ada, most times in life you don’t need to be confrontational to either prove a point or address an issue. There are other ways of solving issues. Most times when there is a heated argument or issue, it is never right to quickly respond. It is usually better waiting for things to cool down before you even speak. That is the only way you can leave with a man. A woman must be patient and submissive. It does not make you a fool rather it increases your husband’s ego and make you have your way when the need arises”  

I was so humbled by what mum had said and although it made me feel so bad but I had learnt a very good lesson that will help me keep my home when I get married.

Later that evening, Dad called my siblings and I to accompany him for a function. I felt so bad but watching him made me realize how much he loved us. Dad is such a loving father and has a very meek heart towards us.

When we got back home from the function, all I could think of was going back to Abuja. My rent will be due in March and getting another job in that town is the hardest thing ever. I can remember what I had to go through before I got my job, that’s just a story for another day. As I never marry abeg, make I dey patch my life dey go before I move back to this Enugu where work no dey at all besides that e no dey my agenda at all. I quickly packed my suitcase and concluded with my sister that we were travelling the next day.

Very early the next morning, Dad heard all the sounds we were making with our bags as we were caring them down the stairs. Immediately he came out of his room we greeted him and told him that his driver was taking us to the park. He hugged us and gave us not only his blessings but money for our transport fare.

I got back to my tiny cubicle of a house where I was paying so much for; there was no light and everywhere was completely dusty; that was when I realized that my holiday was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! At home I did not need to worry about light, what I will eat or someone to make me laugh and put a smile on my face. I guess am back to reality.

This holiday has taught me that as a woman I really need to be Patient and that no matter what the situation may be FAMILY ALWAYS COMES FIRST!!!