Three Highlights of my Year

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By now, many people know what I started this year and how far I have gone with it. Most of City peeps do because I am always ranting about the cost of things or something in that order. Talking about the food business which has to be my biggest accomplishment this year is only repeating what I have said in multiple posts in the past.

For this prompt, I took the time to reflect on what other things that gave me any sense of accomplishment. Three things came to my mind and it may be normal for some people, but not for me. This year definitely brought me out of my comfort zone and I did things I never thought I could. These have only sparked within me the hunger to do more.

Giving Back

This happened in July. A young girl came to my shop and requested a job. I had none to give and I told her that. She looked like she was about to cry and for some reason I couldn’t just let her go that way. I asked her where she was coming from and she called a place that is about an hour away by bus. She was well dressed, clean and smelled really nice. She looked diligent and that alone compelled me to ask for her number. I promised to put in word for her with my friends.

Then, like lightning, it struck. I asked her if she could express herself with words to which she said she could learn anything if it meant having something to do. So, I asked her to sit and wait for me to finish setting up and then I would talk to her. My plan was to introduce her to Hive. However, over the course of introducing her to Hive and asking her questions, I realized she did not have a smart phone. It felt wrong to just end the matter at that and so, I asked her to come the next day and when she did, I relinquished one of my android phones to her to which she nearly made a spectacle of thanking me.

Fast forward, I remember being in her position and it just felt really good to be able to help someone else aside family.

Coming Through

This one happened about three weeks ago. If anyone told me that I’d be stepping up and filling this role of a leader I have in my family, I’d believe it but I wouldn't believe it'll happen this soon. However, it is and I count it a blessing.

I had to show up for my mom is the most personal of ways. It was something she couldn’t handle and her meeting and asking me felt like the most loudest affirmation of trust. It had to do with financial aid in a large sum of money for someone dear to her. While I had to go lengths getting that money in five zeros, I couldn’t deny that this was an unmistakable sign of growth in responsibilities.

This made me happy despite it all. It shows that I am capable, no matter what my situation says right now and if I want something, I can make it happen.

Picking Up the Mantle

I felt like the most fulfilled young woman on earth when I paid rent for the coming year. Compared to where I stayed previously – a run down combo in a very unsafe, unhealthy and toxic environment – this one is spacious, situated in a place far safer and gated. It is not everything I want but it is far from where I used to be. Rent at our former place was N40,000 but I paid dearly when it came to water and security.

This place is N200,000 with constant water and enough security especially for a young girl like me. Yesterday, I renewed our rent and it just makes me feel really good. Mom called me to kneel, like she always does, and prayed over me for blessings and all. I have never had to spend such an amount on rent but it is worth it. No more walking miles for water or staying out as late as 12am to fetch it. No more knee pains or back aches (I still feel it but not as bad as it was then). Everything is now within reach.

These are the things that have definitely made my year apart from bringing our business to life. I can move into 2025 with my full chest.