Strength in Unity: A Lesson From My People

Where I grew up, everyone played a part in my growth as a kid. My mom could leave me at home for the whole day because she knows that there are people who will take care of me and make sure I’m always doing the right know. Basically, I’d say I grew up in a strong community. Because people knew the value of being together. Most days, I didn’t even have to eat my moms food because before she will even finish preparing her food, my aunties or neighbors would have fed me till I’m full. I grew up in a very quiet neighborhood, it was sort of an estate actually,but everyone knew each other. I wonder how that was possible because aside the old folks at home, everyone way busy.

Now that I’m older, I’ve finally been able to pinpoint those little moments when everyone in the community used as an opportunity to bond with each other. My grandfather’s house is a very big one with a very big compound with a very huge mango tree. You can imagine sitting under this tree at night time. Everyone in my house gather around the house at night time after a long day just to catch up and have a chat. Sometimes our neighbors and other friends joined it. Some days, it could go on till way past midnight. This taught me that no matter the kind of day these people had, they still made time for the people that mattered.

Most people didn’t grow up seeing all this around them. Some people grew up with trauma, in broken homes, some even homeless. Yet, I was blessed to experience this. Today, I’m far away from home in a whole new place. And if there’s one thing I do over here, it’s that I make sure to always show up. Last weekend, my friends had a hangout just for us all to meet and chat since it’s been a while. I had a lot of things to do that day and I was way behind schedule. I made sure to finish it up and quickly rush there. Actually, I didn’t want to go cos I was exhausted but I still went. Because these are the people I have here and they always show up for me. This is just the least I could do, to share that moment with them.

If there’s one thing my community has taught me growing up, it’s to cherish the people you have. Because no man is an island. Once you love people for who they are, respect them and treat them right, you’d never lack in life because people always remember the little things we do for them. Whether it’s a compliment, a kind gesture or what have you.
Cherish the people you have today, because they won’t be here forever.

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all images belong to me.

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