The Ramblings of A Nigerian Mom

Source It was a wet evening on a narrow in-street road. There were houses on the left and more houses on the right hand side. A huge Lawma waste truck was occupying a large chunk of the narrow road to the right. An elderly woman sat behind a tray of ripe plantain just by the drainage on the left side, watching the cars wobbling along on the uneven road filled with random potholes and pockets of puddles.

Yes, my little one -D2 had a dream. (Will get round to sharing big bro's many dreams anytime soon). But you know there are dreams, and there are dreams. I'm talking here about the dream that comes from snuggling in a comfy bed and drifting off into wonder land, you know. So my mighty 3yr old boy has been dreaming much of late. And his latest dream consists basically of one activity. Football. You guessed right...he apparently extends his playtime into wonderland.

Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. The clock is really ticking loudly as we slowly but surely move towards the end of 2014. It constantly reminds me that 2015 is so so near and raises so many questions in my heart...

Image source Becoming a mother is every woman's dream...well, not every woman's dream which is okay by the way. But it was one of mine. I craved the joys of motherhood forgetting that oftentimes, pain accompanies the actualization of dreams. You go through the dreamy 9-monthy motions and voila...the cute wrinkly squirming pinkish bun that took 40 weeks or less to bake pops out in all his slimy glory.

  Source   I grew up in an age and environment where children were allowed to be children and adults allowed to be adults. Seriously. It wasn't the stone age but in my house, our dresses and skirts were always knee length and pants had enough room. No skinny-show-me-your-figure kind of stuffs. God help you if you refuse to put on what was picked for you to wear to outings / events / occasions. Never had the 'opportunity' to wear make up until I gained admission into the tertiary institution.

Source Hi Lovelies, September officially marks the beginning of a new school session...or so it was until Ebola reared its ugly head and resumption had to be postponed for another one month. It also marks the beginning of the end of the year...in my mind. It's a time to reflect...on how far we have come in the year and how good God has been to us and ours even in the midst of our many travails. If you are reading this, then you have a whole lot to be grateful for. The gift of life alone is more than enough reason to be thankful. Seeing a new day really presents a new opportunity to shoot at the stars....and get it right. May all your previous struggles turn to joy and just like those beautiful sunflowers up there, may your life radiate with beauty and may every step you take be colored with success. This new month will be kind.

* Long Rambling Alert...Read this and you get  2 for the 'price' of 1...hahaha...kinda like getting more than you bargained for...Actually started writing this post three weeks ago but it never 'saw the light of day'....until today, that is...A whole lot has happened within the last one month...a lot* Once upon a loooonng time, terrorism was a far off menace. Evils being battled by veeeeeery distant 'unlucky' countries that we only hear / read about...but now its come home to roost. Can you think of a life lesson from this? 10 years ago, I never ever imagined we would be HERE...now, in Nigeria. But we're here and it just keep getting worse. Could really be worse than it already is. I only pray it doesn't get any worse till it gets better. I read about what's going on in the Middle East and I still utter thanks to the Almighty. At least it's not that bad, yet. He still loves us, really and His grip is ever so firm on us. I just had t...

  Totally unrelated to superheroes but it's what we're watching as I type this So we love Spiderman...Superman...Hulk as much as we love Old Trafford. It's official. Because I belong to an all-boys clan and if you can't beat them.... *sigh*...

June 19 is the day set aside to annually raise awareness about sickle cell disorder globally, not dedicating a post to this disease would be doing myself and others that could benefit a great disservice..really. This is actually belated as I was supposed to do this on the 19th but could not for one or two reasons so here we go. I previously wrote about my struggles with the disorder in this post and a few months after that post, I lost a niece to the complications of SCD. So sad to be dealt such a cruel hand but that's life. Hardly fair all the time.

Source All they want Is the right to life, dignity and education To live freely, walk freely and learn freely In a world that would bestow upon them respect All they want Is to bloom in the garden of life Flourishing like palm trees lacking naught In a world that would water their roots with love All they want Is to glisten like the morning dew Wetting the feet of early risers with love In a world that would support honest and hard work All they want Is to sit within the four walls of knowledge Shaping their paths like their luckier folks in the west In a world that would respect and support their vision All they want Is to laugh with abandon under the clear sky Infecting all around with their zest for life In a world that would embrace their gaeity All they want Is to feel the warmth of their mothers' embraces Shielding from the coldness of the elements In a world that would protect their smiles with grace All they want Is to live without fear in ...

If you've been around long enough to read this post , then you would understand why I like drinking water a lot. However, I have not been able to resist the urge of taking Coca Cola at least once in a week until a friend sent me the article pasted hereafter. This is not a smear campaign in any way as I have nothing to profit from running this great brand down, but if it has to do with health, then it's pretty serious and should be handled with gravity. Plus the things I read made my intestines coil...pun intended. Seeing how much I love every one of you, I've decided to share this in my magnanimity. I'm veeery nice, right? Please be my guest.  Is this proof that Coke does not belong in you? Source Coke is the most valuable brand in history, and “Coca-Cola” is the world’s second-most recognized word after “hello.” However, the beverage itself is an absolute poison to the human metabolism. (I don't know about this one o)

As I wipe my brow and plonk down ruminating The many ways to accomplish the many tasks ahead The door flew open and in waltzed a stranger panting A very familiar pretty young face to behold Have we by any chance met somewhere? The lines of her face much resembled mine Her nose, cheekbones and the turn of the mouth Much like mine though her garbs speak of another clime Her physique quite like mine turned south Now I am sure I've met her before. She sits uninvited opposite me,  This familiar stranger regarding me with accusing eyes As she silently sends her queries to my mind so dim And for a brief moment, we are united albeit still shy Our bodies are two, yet become one in mind She asks, what had become of the lofty dreams? The fantasies we wove together in glee? Contemplating as I gaze upwards at the bright beams What does this stranger want from me now I am free? Many questions dancing on the tips of her lips She continues, what had become ...

Source So I had another post entirely lined up for today but just had to change directions. Have you ever come close to death before? I mean stare down the deep dark abyss and bounce back? How did you feel? Jitters? Shivers? Shitty?

Source I wish That wars and rumors of wars would cease That every nation would down war tools That our hearts and lives would know peace That every being would live by the rules I wish That an end would come to vanity That every heart would habour no thought impure That every mean soul would regain sanity That our heartlessness would find lasting cure I wish That an end would come to general fear That our lives would be worthy of care That everyone would live in good cheer That lasting peace would permeate the air I wish That every child in the world would be secure That they would walk freely, laugh freely and live freely That their young hearts would nobody darkly lure  That the promise of peace would turn to reality ideally I wish That every unlawful captive would enjoy sweet release That peace, love and harmony the world over increase That our humanity would by no means reduce That in every nation would reign peace. © Biolaleye and Ramblings...

Source This new month, Just like the Eagle, you'll soar Your success will resound like the lion's roar Just like the palm tree, you will flourish Truth and righteousness, you shall nourish Forget the failures of the past, for you, no more pain And upon you and yours will abundant blessings rain May you be strengthened in body, soul and spirit May your paths be clear; the riches of the gentiles may you inherit New insights for new conquests shall you receive New pathways for new successes shall you conceive For you, this new month shall bring undeserved promotions You shall receive in all your ways deserved elevations May you be blessed with clear vision to accomplish your goals May sorrow and pains be far from your abode, there shall be no reason to console May each day be blessed with enough reasons to celebrate From your abode, may sounds of resounding joy continue to emanate Happy new June, lovely people...I.LOVE.YOU.

I feel Your warmth envelope me A zillion spidery arms in the hazy morn Meandering the long road with eyes slightly dim I breath Your touch as I'm held road borne! This feeling of soft feelings so mutual In depth, deeper than the deepest ocean Swishing in the air without being frugal Forever lost in the soothingly warm motion! Your soft and broad chest over me suspend Shielding from harm with compassion so strong Your unselfish love I would never comprehend To rise in splendor for me moving mountains along! Nowhere from your love would I ever flee Your loving kindness like sweet creamy honey  Dripping from my ravished tongue like a bee No yummy wads in the till, but the days are again sunny! © Biolaleye and Ramblings of A Nigerian Workahomom, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material or any other material on this site without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. E...

ALL HAIL THE CLASS CAPTAIN Him: Mummy, I am the class captain .  He proudly announced as he wheeled his bag out of the class, his lil brother following close on his heels. Me: Oh my, I'm so very happy . *hugs in the school reception hall*. More hugs. Hi10. My lil man now wears the cap of leadership over his 14 subjects, just like uncle Jona wears his inside Aso Rock.

How beautiful to watch the morn daily grope With the amber of the retreating dawn To bid farewell to the dawn and speak of hope Within the warm breeze of the early morn Hope is fickle, neither here nor there For the hearts of the weary in their weak state See, peace has decided to strip the needy bare Laying unknowingly all hopes of a good day to waste. Though the cracks of the new day still speak aloud Through bright rays of the warm early sun While laying eternal claims on it's victims already bowed Yet, nature must it's course swiftly run The whispers of the lost floats on the wings of the wind My heart echoes these albeit far away and helpless Singing and begging for deliverance hitherto declined As despair ravages the land ever so relentless My heart glances back to how things bloom A tapestry of peaceful co-existence now forgotten Lost within the spates of senseless booms Depleting the ever diminishing numbers carefully crafted Maybe the beautifu...

  Source   This vital subject would definitely come up at least once in every new parent's mind, especially working mums. I mean the 3 months maternity leave (obtainable in Nigeria) flies by so very fast, faster than Bolts. 

They bully They rally They scream Their eyes gleam With the brightness of life Deeper goes my head into the laptop Lest I become a big-mummy flop While I pretend to be too engrossed To be affected by the chaos now embossed Robbing of the desired quietude within Not one given to dramatics But I still crave time for personal antics Yet nothing would make me decline An offer to bond with these ones I call mine Every moment well-scripted lines in time But I do wonder if they are truly mine Though they were once shielded by my spine All of me being poured into the nurturing A very careful preparation for the maturing Before being expelled to make their foray onwards Doesn't the word say they are His heritage? Rewards from the throne of grace into marriages They are gifts merely entrusted into earthly care For a time to watch, guide and keep from every snare However, I am glad to still call them mine, albeit for a time. Now I call on You as a daughter Ever...