Appreciation Note

Today is 25^th 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!

One love!!