My Mother’s Words

Hi people. It’s Friyaaaay!
I hope y’all are feeling good and having a hell of a great time, yeah?

This day feels so surreal though-I haven’t been to work for two days in a row (my first time ever), thanks to my health.
But speaking of “surreal,” let me tell you about the most unbelievable 24 hours of my life. And no, it wasn’t a bad one at all.

Image is mine

Honestly guys, there’s a certain type of feeling that hits you when you’re about to do something you’ve never done before. Like, something completely outside of your comfort zone. It comes with a wild mix of fear, excitement, and anxiety, all at once.

It was during NYSC mobilization week. I hadn’t gotten the message yet, so I kept going to the cyber café, refreshing my portal, while checking for my call-up letter. It was just vibes and keeping hope alive. When it was finally announced that the call-up letter was out, I didn’t even panic. For some reason, I didn’t really care about the location I would be posted to. All I wanted was to get far away from home.

It was going to be the first time I would be leaving Port Harcourt alone. So yeah, where I was posted didn’t matter much. I just didn’t want it to be anywhere close to my parents’ house.

When I finally opened my call-up letter and saw my state of service, I was so elated.

I had already packed my things weeks ahead; oh, don’t blame me, excitement had me handcuffed! I was so eager to begin the journey. But it didn’t hit me until my dad drove me to the park and waved me goodbye. That moment right there? That’s when it really dawned on me that I was leaving home for the first time in my life to live in another state, all alone.

That wave from my dad marked the beginning of the most unbelievable 24 hours of my life.

After registering and settling in, I got into the bus and picked the front seat right next to the driver; oh, it is the best view ever, of course. I watched the world roll by as we journeyed. When we got to Enugu (oh, I forgot to mention—I was posted to Ebonyi State), I saw the famous hills and mountains. They were so breathtaking and I was in awe.

It felt so surreal.

I’m on my own. Leaving my parents’ roof. For one whole year. The freedom, the independence; it was really overwhelming in the best way. I literally had to pinch myself to believe it was happening.

When we finally got to camp, I settled in quickly, picked a bed and began the registration process. At some point, the stress got to me and I felt real drained. I called my mom, with the need to vent and maybe cry a little.

Her words that night still ring in my ears-
“At this moment, you have no one there except God, yourself, and the values we have given you. Make good use of your brain and be wise. It’s wisdom that breeds strength.”

That sentence became my compass throughout my entire service year. And honestly, it still guides me.

These days, when life throws challenges at me and I feel like breaking, I remember that I’ve actually done hard things before. I’ve survived being on my own in a strange land, and I have made it through, not because I had anyone to rescue me, but because I had wisdom and a solid foundation.

It now dawns on me that there are seasons in life where it’s just me, God, and the things I’ve built inside.
And in those times, it’s not strength alone that carries me.
It’s wisdom.
Thanks for reading my blog❤️

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