Today is 25th of July
2012 and I have just clocked 24!!! Yipee…
All thanks to God for keeping me…
How can I say thank you to my Maker? You are everything to me… I can’t begin to thank you for everything..
I want to appreciate all the special
people in my life. I started out this year tentatively and optimistic for the
best. Tentatively because it felt like I was walking on eggs…. in some areas of
my life
So today, I am looking back at
life, events, happenings, friends, family…all that has helped shaped me into me
January started out well with the
compulsory strike and stay at home, travelling. Weeks turned into months and
months turned into July! I am Leo, hear me roar >>>>
February, I knew I had a frenemy:
U would read this and you would know this is about u and I care not!
Frenemies: My understanding of
frenemy means enemy disguised as friend..
We were childhood friends and I
always had your back, I thought you had mine as well!. Anyway, 2011 taught me
to never say never! Dearie I won’t go into details, what’s more I love you, I
am a Christian and I am not your frenemy. Why you chose to see me as a
competition is totally beyond me! Why you chose to laugh and share with people
I hardly talk to that I had an ulcer on my leg was hurtful and deep. I have
forgiven you, I don’t need any baggage!
Now back to people who have made
my year
Parents: Mummy for the love, the
prayers! U have been wonderful … even the push!!
Daddy: The Confidence you keep instilling, the
friendship, endless gisting episodes, sharing your experiences, for having
answers to almost all of my endless questions, U are simply the best!!!
Genes would never be a barrier, I
am a living testimony and I could not wish for better parents than the one’s
God blessed me with, and if this is the price I pay to be their daughter …Then
why not?
We have bonded more and learnt to
appreciate each other
Yemisi: My complaint memo, when
I’m down, I pour it out on you, you never complain. You just always know how to
make me feel better. When you don’t have the right words, then you cry with
me… Thank you
Blessing: I haven’t seen you
enough this year!! U have been more away
than home and it’s so sad and painful
(Sob sob) I like how I try to take care of you and you turn around and take
care of me instead..
Seun: Little Miss Sunshine!! I am yet to meet
someone more optimistic. For you, no matter the situation, you make a joke out
of it. Always smiling, always happy, always optimistic!! If I’m down, once I
call you, you always leave me with a smile. To think there was a time, we
couldn’t stand each other!!! We sure must have been crazy. I love you
sweetheart!
Rotimi: Comic Relief! I’m your
target when u want to crack a joke. Naughty child! Blackky Thanks for standing by
me in Feb with the leg ulcer tearing me apart, U cracked jokes out of it and
still made me laugh and most importantly, your concern was genuine, Stay black!
Much love
Jimade: True son of his Father,
crafty as a fox, I guess we are going to keep trying to outsmart each other.
Family is everything and has no
end. I hold you all specially to my heart!
Friends:
I already spoke about my frenemy,
I’ve got loads of acquaintances but very few carefully selected friends!
TY: You are my best friend! You have
been my best friend for the past six years and I am grateful to God to have you
in my life. We fight, we disagree to agree. Most importantly, we tell each
other the truth. You accept me as I am,
faults and all and vice- versa.. Something’s can never be bought. True
friendship is one of them.
Mariam Esiaba: You refused to
conform, Sticking with your Iphone, refused to join Facebook..dunno if that
makes things worse or makes me value you all the more. All the same, NYSC
brought us together and together we have been. One word to describe you:
Amazing. You bring out the best in me, to think it’s just a year gap yet you
treat me like a baby! I don’t mind that anyway.
IJ: My ambitious sweetheart!
Smart, crazy choleric action driven, I love you for you. For standing by me
through the worst! For telling me the truth, for criticizing me…that was deep,
painful but invaluable! To think we met by chance in a BRT bus, Thank God for
everything! There’s always something to be thankful for. Who would have thought
I would have met someone as Smart, Independent and hardworking like you in a
BRT bus? You push me to be better and I won’t be surprised if I see u on Forbes
cover page in the future… Her birthday is in a few days’ time…
Why? Ij, we should have been
sisters then we’d go everywhere together like Siamese twins lol.
Happy Birthday in Advance, we
would definitely be rocking together dis weekend!!
Temitope: Iyawo Pastor! Surely
you have to marry a pastor. That’s the only prayer I have for you till you are
married lol. I am yet to meet any young youth in our age group with the fire
and zeal you have to serve God. You have completely sold yourself out to serve
God. When I look at you, I’m amazed; God can still be merciful to a prodigal child
like me. You don’t rub it in anyone’s face, you don’t have a holier than thou
attitude, yet your character speaks volumes, your resilient spirit, your love
for him is so evident. You carry out church duties happily even when you are
inconvenienced and stressed. I pray God upholds you. You may not know but
people are watching, people are looking up to you…I pray for grace to serve God
like you. Thank you for the motivation
and for not giving up on me even when I gave up on me.
Niyilola: You and Tayo are officially
family and not friends. You know how you helped me this year. You know
everything! Thank you sweetheart, I love you!
Temitope: Thank you for being my
friend. The friend I have never met! Our chats on BB are endless. You are sincere;
you make me feel important with myself. You are a confidante and in this
journey of life, I am glad I met you
Bunmi Aliyu: I have had many
childhood friends, but you stand out. Over the years, we lost touch with each
other and drifted apart. We met again in 2012 and it felt like we had just
spoken to each other yesterday. We just bond! We just blend! And when I say
best friend’s forever, you know I’m referring to you!
Russell: I know you are angry and
we are both selfish and stubborn. But I would have it no other way.
Aunty: What can I say? I wish you
were here, I know you are smiling down at me and us and I would keep my promise
always.
Ini and Nabil: You left too soon,
but your memories are blazing on in my heart
Anonymous: This list would not be complete without you. It hurts
that I can’t put your name here, that I can’t shout your name over the rooftops
that I have to conceal and even stifle my feelings always. It hurts that I have to be in this situation.
I know what true love is because I still love you. Despite everything, despite
every word, every tear, every heartache, and every horrible night I cried
myself to sleep that month… Oddly, I
guess you have helped me to define love because that is what I feel and I
wonder, if this is not love then what is?
I would leave it at that…….
There goes my long list of
invaluable friends! If you are on this list, consider yourself really important
and yes invaluable. I love you all and
as I add another year today, I want to be a better daughter, sister, friend,
writer, church worker, and staff. I want to be better in every area of my life.
This is as personal as it would come. But it’s my birthday so I’d cut some
slack.
Thank God and thank you all. I am
grateful!
