Nobody said life has to be fair. In fact, the sooner you accept it, the easier it gets. After midnight, I could be a woman sleeping with her husband and child on the road. I could be wondering if today is the day that a drunk driver would mow me over. Whether I’d even wake up tomorrow as a woman with my dignity intact. Just maybe, feel grateful for the basics that you’re taking for granted. These are your real treasures, blessings that go unseen.
A cozy, safe home. Warm, nutritious food delivered straight to your plate with minimal effort. A decent education. That no matter what happens, it gives you the ability to earn and fend for yourself. If you’re really forced to, compare yourself to the ones doing without.
Understand how truly blessed you are. Visit your neighborhood orphanage. See children who are longing for love. How welcoming they’re to you. Or take a friend to an old age home. Every one of them has a story to tell. But they are still excited like a child playing the games that you organized.
Having lost his legs, Willy sat in his wheelchair. Somebody always had to steer him around even to the washroom. Now in his fifties, he confided that he made wrong life choices. Associating with bad company in his teens, he eventually turned into a hardcore drug addict. Later, he started peddling his wares to others like him. Most of his adult life, Willy kept getting in and out of rehabs and prisons. Finally, frequent overdosing took a toll on his body. Both his lower limbs had to be amputated. Today, he blames nobody. And holds no regrets. In 10 seconds flat, Willy sang an impromptu song thanking us for bringing moments of happiness to their dull days. Just for listening to his life story, he incorporated my name in his song. It felt sweet. You know what they say about musicians, artists and actors! They’ll make you fall in love with their roguish charm.
As toddlers, nana (mum's mum) looked after me and my sister when my parents were busy chasing their careers to provide us with a steady middle-class upbringing. Looking surprisingly like my nana, another lady hugged me for a long time. Generous kisses made their way to my forehead too. Suddenly, I felt like the clock had gone back in time. It was the most comforting feeling that I felt in ages. A cloak of much-needed serenity enveloped me. Five layers of a deeply creased forehead, wrinkled eyes and a few laughter lines, "Pray for me" she fervently urged. I silently, selfishly wished to a higher power that she would be around the next time that I visited. So that I can sit with her in her calming presence. Her warm, soft hands intertwined in mine. Her attendants showed up much too soon. Before I left, she conspiratorially whispered into my ears, "Girl! Marry a good man with money." I smiled and nodded vigorously!! She doesn’t need to know. The plan is to be a rich lady who is good instead.
privilege childhood gratitude
