Good day, ladies. How are we all doing? I hope the smell of Christmas is already at your door. Wow, it’s been a while since I last posted here. It has been a hectic period for me, as my natural drink business just attended its first official outing as a vendor. Prepping for that was not so easy, but we pulled through. You're welcome back to my blog.
Hmmm… I must admit that @saffisara really threw some thought-provoking questions for this week’s contest. I honestly had to sit with myself and think deeply: if you could get a second chance at something, what would it be?
For me, it would be buying the belt my late brother requested the last time we saw each other. It might sound simple, but ten years after his passing, I still cry whenever I remember that I couldn’t grant that last request. He was not someone who asked for things casually.
It was on the morning of August 8, 2015, at a lorry park in Lagos State. We had spent what would turn out to be our final moments together, chatting all through the night about life while waiting for his bus, which was scheduled to leave in the morning.
When the day broke, he was getting ready to board his bus heading to Accra, Ghana’s capital. Then he spotted a belt seller and said calmly, “Sister Tee,” as he fondly called me, “please can you get this belt for me? The one I have is in very bad shape.”
I really wanted to buy it for him that morning, but all I had left was my transport fare back home after paying for his ticket and luggage. Fares were surprisingly high at that time, and I had exhausted the extra money I had come with. So I promised him I would buy him a good belt when I visited Ghana for Christmas that December.
Unfortunately, on the 4th of November that same year, my brother suffered one of the complications of sickle cell disease and didn’t survive it. I was shattered, and so was my entire family. But personally, I have continuously wept over not buying that belt, knowing my transport fare at the time could have covered the cost.
Looking back now, I would have gladly trekked home to get him that belt. It would have been my last gift to him, one he truly needed.
Yes, I still went to visit in December, but it was at his graveside. And the belt incident kept replaying in my mind. It still does, even as I write this.
If I had a second chance, I would buy my late brother the belt he needed so much ten years ago. His death would still have been painful, but maybe I would feel different from how I feel now if I had fulfilled that simple request.
Now, to the second question: Do you feel older or younger for your age?
I actually think I feel older than my age. Living with a chronic condition like sickle cell is a significant burden on the body. As a sickle warrior, my bone marrow and entire system work five to six times harder than someone who doesn’t have the disorder. It is often believed that this constant stress makes warriors age faster physically and in other ways
However, in my case, people often say I look younger than my age, which I quite agree with. I’m almost 40, but many people assume I am in my 20s.
But looks aside, sickle cell has aged my body in terms of physical abilities and the things people my age can easily do.
Despite my young look, I can't keep up with activities even my 60-year-old mother would do, it makes me feel bad, but seriously, it is what it is, I am still grateful for life.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Cheers.
