The Imprint of Home: Unpacking the Influences That Molded Me

Everyday, I thank God for the kind of family he made me grow up with because I don’t know what I would have done without them. As stubborn as I was and still am, it’s a surprise I actually turned out this way. I used to be that kid who would do exactly what you asked her not to do. I was unstoppable at everything.

It took a whole community and then some more to raise me because I could be a bag of trouble on some days.😂 God has been so good and everyone that played a role in raising me into who I am today deserves a medal. Life wasn’t that difficult for me growing up but it wasn’t also a bed of roses. I was okay because I had almost everything I needed, thanks to God and the hardwork of my parents. I have the kind of parents who would go every length to see their kids happy. I went to the best schools, had the best of training and had the best of everything I could ask for. The kind of person I was going to become in future mattered so much to my parents.

Sometimes I look at some people around me and wonder what kind of life I would be living had I been brought up differently. Maybe I wouldn’t even know my left from my right. Growing up, I was made to take up roles even at a younger age. I was taught how to make decisions for myself and others when necessary. With time, I was more conscious of my environment and actions even before I hit puberty.

I wasn’t restricted. Restricted in the sense that I was allowed to live my life and be myself. This helped me so much as I got to explore different sides of myself. I got to try out so many new stuff with my parents cheering me on. Back when I was in the lower levels in school, there’s no extracurricular activity I didn’t take part in and even until I went to the university. My parents always gave me the go ahead so far as it was going to help me grow and they always made sure to be available for me.

I had people to guide me , teach me and probe me in the right direction. I was taught to dream big and do big and it has actually reflected a lot in my life today. If you know me, you know I don’t like small things, I always aim for the best because I know I deserve every good thing in this world because I will invest my time and all that I have in it.

Today, I’m miles away from home yet my parents don’t even have to bother about me. I know people whose parents can’t even let them out of their sights for a week because they know what they’re kids are capable of. But my parents know who I am and know that I won’t get myself into a trouble because they brought me up right. With the kind of upbringing I had, there are a lot of things I have had the chance to experience and that has also contributed so much into making me who I am today.

I don’t know where I would have been today, but thanks to those who stood by me through it all, both on the days I was a bag of trouble and on days I was an angel, I’m in a good standing. Today, it’s all paying off and will continue to. Our roots are who we are, let’s learn to hold on to them.

all images belong to me.