Oh, the places you will go!

It’s February in a few! I’m grateful for miracles. Thank you for staying with me in January. ☺️

I thought of a new month gift for a fine human like you and I decided to gift you my favorite poetry. It’s titled “oh, the places you will go, by Doctor Seuss.

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OH , THE PLACES YOU’LL GO !

 Congratulations!
 Today is your day.
 You're off to Great Places!
 You're off and away!


 You have brains in your head.
 You have feet in your shoes
 You can steer yourself
 Any direction you choose.

 You're on your own. And you know what you know.
 And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
 You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.

 About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
 With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
 You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

 And you may not find any
 You'll want to go down.
 In that case, of course,
 You'll head straight out of town.

 It's opener there
 In the wide open air.
 Out there things can happen
 And frequently do
 To people as brainy
 And footsy as you.

 And when things start to happen,
 Don't worry. Don't stew.
 Just go right along.
 You'll start happening too.

 You'll be on your way up!
 You'll be seeing great sights!
 You'll join the high fliers
 Who soar to high heights.

 You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
 You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.

 Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
 Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

 Except when you don't
 Because, sometimes, you won't.
 You'll get mixed up, of course,
 As you already know.

 You'll get mixed up
 With many strange birds as you go.
 So be sure when you step.
 Step with care and great tact. 

 And remember that Life's
 A Great Balancing Act.

 Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
 And never mix up your right foot with your left.

 And will you succeed?
 Yes! You will, indeed!
 (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
 KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

 So...
 Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
 Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
 You're off to Great Places!
 Today is your day!

 Your mountain is waiting.
 So...get on your way!
   - Dr. Seuss 

Happy February, ediye (beautiful one).

Emem ye ifure. (Peace and serenity).

From, your GJ. 💜

Not today.

As the door closed behind him, he slid to the floor, resting his head on the wall.
It was his third day on this fast.

No, he wasn’t religious, he just didn’t have anything to eat. Last week, he’d used an egg and a sachet of water to make soup for 5 of 7 days, unable to pay for this and a few added things he needed, he couldn’t borrow anymore.

The 600,000NGN debt, rent overdue by 3 months, and his mother’s impending death due to their inability to start chemotherapy were some of the things that plagued his mind as he sat.

Deciding on a quick way to end it, he planned to jump over the cliff where refuse was dumped in his neighborhood. Sniper was too expensive an option. Dressed in loose clothing, he stepped out and bumped into Iya Hassan.

She owned the kiosk he bought things from. Trying to duck but failing miserably, he managed a smile as he cooked up another lie to cover his debt.

“Mek you no dey lie gif me, Ubong. You no get money. You no fit pay me. I say mek I sheck how you dey. You don chop?”

Glancing through the contents of the cellophane bag she handed to him, her kind eyes made him look away as the tears threatened to fall.

“I no get money to pay you oh.” “I ask you money?” she quizzed gently. “No dey do pass yourself, my pikin. E go beta.” Gently nudging, she pushed him in the direction of her kiosk “Mek we go shop. I go find you small something when we close.”

Iya Hassan had become a mother to him. Job hunting made him ask to work at her shop. She’d agreed but she made so little sales that she couldn’t pay him more than what could take a meal. In the times he spent helping her at the shop, he had shared his problems.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He knew who it was already. His elder sister. She called everyday to check on him, but he had never been truthful.

Today, he decided to be honest for a change. Excusing himself from the kiosk he accepted the call, and when she asked “how are you?” he spilled.

Together, they worked out a plan. Though he still had no money, now he had hope. And with that hope he returned to the kiosk, as his mind whispered to the grim reaper, “Not today.”

Promise keeper.

Keeping promises is hard stuff, mehn. Have you ever wondered how God is able to keep all His promises, inside life? Likeeeee.

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Today, I bought a sachet of water from a kiosk in school. I was with Iserom, my friend, and she needed water too. The seller said water is now sold for 15NGN/sachet, and I had taken only 20NGN from my bag, which dear Nachi (who is probably reading this now) had taken to class for me.

We had two options, drop a sachet or pay back later. I chose the later and left with the water.

Fast forward to three hours, I’m distracted by my phone’s insufficient battery power and my absent power bank, so I decide to go home. I’m some meters away from the class I read in when I remember the 10NGN I owed the seller.

Guy, that’s how I took myself on another sunny trek to the kiosk for 10NGN. I’m almost there when it hits me, the kind of sacrifices God makes to keep His promises to us as His beloved.

When we call God promise keeper, we acknowledge His faithfulness. His direless, tireless commitment to do what He says. Remember this when next you remind Him of His promises, and pause to thank Him for moving heaven and earth, time and again to fulfill His promises to you in times past.

And, let these words remind you; your father is a promise keeper, so are you! Keep your promises.

Emem ye ifure. (Peace and serenity)

Your GJ. 💜