THE PROPOSAL.

He proposed with a ring on the night of their passing out in Enugu. She turned the proposal and walked out on him telling him if all she's worth to him is this cheap ring...

2 years later he proposed with the same ring in a less exquisite location to another lady in the suburbs of Enugu. His heart stopped for a while not knowing what to expect. 

Tears filled her eyes when she raised him from kneeling and gave him a big hug and a peck on his cheek. He heard her say 'I will' an overwhelming emotion engulfed him. 

He didn't know when he asked her "are you sure?"... With a reassuring tearful smile she said 'Yes I will marry me'.  

1 year later in Paris; he asked his wife on the night of their wedding what made her accept his proposal knowing the cost of the ring was not worth much... 

She said "I saw beyond the value of the ring but the value of a heart that truly cherished and is committed to me"

Perspective is everything. You may not have the best of everything at the moment but those who are grateful and enjoy life's best start by having the right mindset or perspective

The Tale - Unbelievable!

Cars don't talk but what if i told you mine did?

It happened to rain after a long dusty trip. You can imagine the filth on the car. I planned swinging by a car wash the following Monday morning before heading to the office.

Went to the car started the engine, and drove towards the gate. Just as I was about pulling out, the car refused to move any further.

I had the throttle pressed down. The gear engaged in "D" but nothing. ?he roaring engine was beginning to make a scene.

Then the audible voice came from within - "I ain't going any further. I'm not presentable, not even as Lekan's car (my neighbor).

Unbelievable right? Your guess is as good as mine. 

The question I asked myself this morning was; are we actually worse off? By we I mean you & I, our families, jobs, finance, relationships...

I realize we all tell an individual story. Why conclude when you haven't gotten to the end of "your story" or are you the author?

God sure knows the end of any matter from the beginning thereof sometimes we don't need to understand, we just have to trust him.

THE SHIELD

I don't know who spoke these words but they triggered my ponder...

"A real man doesn't quit on what's important to him, if he doesn't fight, he doesn't see a future with you"

The king of the wild do hunger and lack, so is the frail strength of the man.

So many times men are tempted to be gone with the wind, in search of an evolving solace.

Little would you wonder what propels the  old incomplete phrase "all men are cheats" but they never mention the complete phrase "...all men are cheats because..."

A man's commitment is a shield - a metal creed, built tough to hold the forte.

Hence he'll rather dine than fight. He will dance to the tune where there are no rules of engagement because he knows one hard truth...

The weight of the shield although movable is of great tonnes; If he truly gives it then he's bound to stay.

When you close your eyes through the years and open them, you'll find not just my shield, but the bearer.

Two Different isn't Too Different.

Dear daughter,

I noticed your little pet dog - Tasha; even after the years, she still share this bond with you like it did yesterday.

Have you ever wondered why dogs are referred to as man's best friend? Let me share with you my keen observation.

1. Loyalty - Tasha's loyalty to you can never be questioned even when it chooses to be friendly to all; her much knowledge about you shows in her attitude towards you.

2. Obedience - Tasha knows and submit on hearing the sound of your voice or command even above your other siblings. She tends to do only what you approve or bids her do.

3. Violent - I watched Tasha aggressively support you the other day Temi - our neighbor decided to pick a fight over parking space even though you were wrong. She did bark viciously and would have bitten Temi if he moved any closer towards you. 

4. Excitement - This very trait triggered this whole findings. Tasha truly delights in seeing you. I observe her genuine excitement every morning everyday through the years. An enthusiasm borne out of a mutual bond; firm and deep. For as long as Tasha lives, she is quite confident you will never abandon or neglect your duty to her.

5. Surrender - Do you know whenever you scold Tasha firmly, it never barks back in aggression or attempts to bite you? Instead, with good judgement, she folds her tail inside to win your sympathy by surrendering. It amazing how it works every time; earning your tender pat instead.

Thinking about it, your mom always got a better part of me when she discovered and applied these principles. She gave me little or no chance to fight back knowing any direct confrontation I got from her reduced her chances of winning that battle. According to her, quiet battles often times win the greatest wars.

Beyond doubt, Tasha LOVES you. 'Play Tasha' and you will win the heart of your man or husband when you are married, keeping in mind regardless of your differences, two different isn't too different after all.

TWO DIFFERENT OR TOO DIFFERENT.

      

Dear son,

Sometimes it hurts as much as it gladdens my heart about your new found love - I see it oozing from your smile & gaze.

But again it should be the joy for every mother to nuture and watch her son transcend from a man to a husband & finally, to rest on the couch of Fatherhood.

We women are complex! Like the clock, we undergo multiple seasonal cycles - Tears & Laughter, Lover & Adversary, Mother & Child, Demanding & Sacrificing... Most of which we can't even predict.

Your father usually referred to himself as a Miner and me, the Mine - that he'll keep digging for the best of virtue-minerals.

When issues arose, he assumed I was being in my impure state of gold. One of his favorite paintings was that of a wild cat I never knew why untill after his death.

I removed the large canvass painting from the wall while cleaning one weekend and saw on the reverse...

"She's like a wild cat, tender & gracious yet her paws will come out when pressured or in a bid to protect her own"

To sustain your relationship, you need to remind yourself you are "two different people, but not too different from each other" as perfection isn't the absence of differences but the presence of synchrony.

We had it pretty rough the first few months because I wanted him to be like my dad automatically. 

I mentioned it on few occasions but stopped when I realized it weighed him down terribly. What grave mistake I discovered I made when he kept avoiding me.

He recourse in talking to his mom that period. He didn't disclose anything about the issue though but he spent hours on the phone with her.

He agreed to anything I wanted for his peace. He became too careful around me while I watched his blissful smile go straight after any conversation on seeing me.

Nothing else hurts as much as being ignored. It was driving me crazy. I vowed never to compare him directly or indirectly with anyone anymore.

Things did take a new turn when I resolved to encouraging and supporting him... That made my submission easier.

It's pretty hard to let go but again, I know you'll be a finer man than your late awesome dad.

Love mom.

TRAPPED

Our hearts are like the ocean blue enclosing life's ordeal in bubbles of reality – love, laughter, difficulties, worry, fear...

Faced with the latter more often than naught; we are left with one decision - which bubble stays but as difficult as it may seem, it's our choice to make.

Hope, like a bruised reed may seem frail but it's hard to kill as the presence of life is the currency for hope.

If you lose hope, you've lost everything as there's hope for a tree if cut down, at the scent of water, it will bud again.

..I’ll Be Over You…

A way out! I thought with a grin

But I’m few pulls away from the peak

Just got scared of the heights of Love

I fear a potential fall of failure.

Nausea of reality hit me, I’m puking panic

I’m losing my will to go further up.

I could always start again, I muttered.

I'm sliding down the rope of forever

Just as long as a figment of eternity

Only when forever is through

That’s when I’ll be over you.

THE PILLOW

I’ll bear your tiring head when you feel like giving up.

Come rest in the comfort of my bosom when weary.

Though void of the perfect consoling words, I will bear your tears.

Awaken from your burdened heart; my warm shoulders I will offer.

Your family is a master piece, irreplaceable and priceless.

Your last resort when all hope has faded into thin air.

Your scaffold, shield, support, identity, voice and so much more

Above all, it is God’s gift to the society and the human race.

A friend loves at all times but a brother is born for adversity.

Love, guard and cherish them, always placing them as priority.

Keep the strangers out: Divorce, Selfishness, Comparison, discontent…

That way you’ll be building a greater and healthy society.

…still entertaining strangers?

WILTED ROSE

Your fragrance grace and beauty - an awesome glee.
Guarding Loving Cherishing - I obliged.
Open Tender Without reservation - I stayed.
In the vase of my heart - I carefully placed.

Day and Night in you I delight.
Always longing to be in my sight.
The cold & winter - that dreadful plight.
Grimly nightmare came rushing - twilight.

Waking up I wished it was a dream.
With much eagerness I awaited your blossom.
Then the minutes, hours, days, weeks...
Despite my love heart & all - a wilted rose you became.

Time heals but it is a thousand years away.
She's hurting from another bruised scar.
Her tender hurting heart seeks solace.

Sweet Jesus, a bruised reed you will not break nor a smoking
flax you will not quench.
I ask that you comfort her and grant her that peace that surpasses
human understanding.
Thank you for helping her make it through with your never failing love. Amen

DEDICATED TO MY ENDEARING FRIEND & ALL THOSE
GOING DOWN THIS ROAD.