2020 …
Retrospectively, while the world was on lockdown, I often found myself worrying, especially for my family since I wasn’t with them at the time to monitor their activities and probably serve as a watchdog in my usual duty as the Ada (eldest child) of the family.
Earlier, precisely in March 2020, how fortunate I was then, I narrowly escaped my trip overseas where I was invited to engage in some humanitarian work like I love doing, but for my insistence on staying back to watch which way COVID was taking the world as my inner mind directed, I decided to stay back in Nigeria but didn’t return home to my family immediately, still watching the state of things from my hotel room, I plunged myself into following updates every time of the day on to follow up on international news on the global scene as if to say watching CNN had become my only job at the time, making me feel quite uneasy seeing the numbers of victims of COVID rise daily. It was horrible. Eventually, I summoned the courage to return back home to my family but before I returned home, I would always say to my mother, mummy please ensure that you and every member of our family protect themselves because this disease is fatal. It knows no immune system, age, tribe, or colour. But her next words made me crumble like someone who was hit below the stomach. She would smile and ask me when I developed fear because I have never been the fearful type, I have always been the extremely daring type by nature. Now, while I truly appreciate my mother’s extreme confidence and deep faith in God during this pandemic, her disposition made it obvious that a lot of families are not the least scared of this deadly COVID-19 because they have absolute trust in God. But is faith enough while not taking more preventive measures to protect one from undue exposure?
Back then in 2020, our eyes and ears were constantly glued to the TV and other news platforms just to get the latest trends in the latest pandemic ravaging the earth, the CORONA VIRUS, but have we all paused for a moment to ponder over the role(s) we have all played individually and collectively or playing in what faces man today?
Do we understand that humanity is now an endangered specie of the activities of man? And the same man comes back to lament!
What irony and such hypocrisy.
Not necessarily casting blames though, shouldn’t we all be blamed as parties and witnesses to the current state of things in the world as our actions keep ruining the earth leading to dangerous outcomes which no one is exempted from? Do you want to know how? Fumes from the cars we drive, the left over from the cigarette sticks, and the sweet wrapper thrown out through the windows all find their way to the ocean and atmosphere as the case may be. I can go on.
Therefore, this is a time for reckoning, where both the rich and poor have come to a meeting point and that’s when all are befallen by the same fate – fear. The fear of contracting COVID.
Since the outbreak of the CORONA VIRUS, it appears to me like fear reigns supreme now, hence, it has inevitably become the meeting point for all, the leaders and their VICTIMS who unfortunately are led by them. Even the developed economies and nations are worse hit.
What are you thinking now?
COVID-19 will render trillionaires weak and their money useless. Fact.
But love will survive this fear and global tragedy.
During this time of fear and pain, love will triumph over everything. So this is the time to strengthen our family bonds, appreciate the wonderful gift of life by treasuring that gift more, strengthen our relationships, renew our hope, trust, and faith in God and rekindle our love and confidence in one another because of medicine and money fails, love never fails.
HOW WE CAN SHOW LOVE
A simple greeting, cheerful smile, genuine care, a phone call, and compassion can heal a broken soul and a sick heart, bring hope alive, and give people the courage to keep going.
This is the time to show love to the world. Show care to all you meet or know.
So, why not put a call across to those who may be heartbroken or undergoing challenges today?
Show care for the elderly and look after those we consider to be needy.
This is a time for sober reflection. A moment of grace. The time to reconcile ourselves to God.
Peace And Lovely Always,
Karifest Duchess Onyekaah
(Iyanga Anioma).