THIS HOLIDAY I JUST WANT TO GO HOME AND BREATHE ___WEEK 239 EPISODE 02

For me, holiday season has always been my best season of the year. Not because of the rice and chicken, but because of what it means — family coming together.

As the holidays are fast approaching, what am I most looking forward to? Honestly, three things.

The first one is going home to the village. I stay in the city for almost the whole year — hustling, working, facing traffic, facing life. But during Christmas, we all travel home. That journey, even though transport fare is always high during that period, that journey gives me joy. I am looking forward to seeing my families ,seeing my grandmother who is getting older, and just sitting outside in the evening in the village with no generator noise, just gist and fresh air. I miss that peace.

The second thing I am looking forward to is cooking together. In my family, during Christmas, we don't just eat. We cook together. My mother will be in the kitchen shouting "who is pressing my tomatoes?" My sisters and I will be laughing, fighting over who will fry the meat. My father will be in the parlour pretending he is not interested, but he will be coming to the kitchen every 5 minutes to taste the soup. That kitchen noise, that shouting, that laughter — that is the holiday for me. I am looking forward to it so much.

The third one is the small rest. This year has been very stressful for me. From January to now, I have been running up and down. Work, church, family issues, Nigeria economy — everything just choked. I am looking forward to that few days in December when I will just switch off my phone, wear my old polo, sit down, eat, sleep, and not think about any dear breathe......... Just breathe.

But will I be abble to enjooy it fully?

That is where my heart is heavy.

Because the situation of things now in Nigeria is not smiling. Everything is expensive. Last year, transport to village from Onitsha was around 5k, this year they are already saying 15k to 20k. Rice that we used to buy for 40k is now 90k. Chicken that was 8k is now 25k. Even to buy small Christmas clothes is now big budget.

And honestly, money is tight. I have been saving small small since August for December, but as I am saving, one emergency will come and take it. My bill are ranking up , I want to do it, but my pocket is shouting.

So I know I might not enjoy it the way I used to enjoy it when I was small. When I was small, my father did everything. I just ate and wore new clothes. Now I am older, I am part of the people providing. And providing this year is hard.

But I have decided one thing — even if I don't have plenty money, I will still enjoy it in my own little way. Because holiday is not really about how much rice or how many clothes. It is about who you are with.

Even if we eat only jollof rice and one chicken and share it for 6 people, if we laugh together, that is holiday. Even if we don't travel, if we call ourselves on video call and pray together, that is still holiday.

So yes, the economy might try to stop me from enjoying fully, but I will not allow it to steal my joy completely............ I will manage what I have and create happiness with it.

What about you? What are you looking forward to this holiday? And do you think you will be able to enjoy it fully this time?

I would love to read in the comment.

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