28

I am really not great with birthdays, mine that is. Every time August 5^th comes around, something in my brain just starts going haywire. And as I get closer to 30, things keep getting worse. However this year I want to switch things up and look at this wonderful day with a different set of lens. So, in my impulsive decision making, I decided to do a list of things I am grateful for. One for each year that I have been on this earth. So, here goes 28 things I am grateful for

 1. My life. This one is pretty standard. I have lived a healthy life and free from this horrible pandemic. 

2. My son’s life; Leruo, who is going to be 3 years old in a week’s time. Yes we are both Leos. 

3. My family. See if I was smart I would name them one by one and add to my list. 

4. My friends. I have a great support system in terms of my friends. They are always ready to listen to my random thoughts and offer advice where necessary. 

5. Winnie. I know technically she falls under friends, but she is worth a special mention. Winnie is the one person I can talk to all day and not run out of things to say. I love you fam. 

 6. Attie. Another friend who is also worthy of a special mention. Attie and I have been friends for 10 full years now, wow! She has been through all my different changes in life. She has known me at my worst and at my best and has chosen to still stick by me. And for that I am grateful. 

7. My brain. Yes at times it goes into overdrive and complicates things but I am so glad to have been blessed with this brain. 

8. My beautiful smile. Yes, I said it. I have a smile that lights up a room. 

 9. My sense of humour. I honestly crack myself up all the time. 

10. My mother. Who has always believed in my abilities and is my biggest cheerleader. 

11. Ice cream. Random I know but I mean what’s better than ice cream? Nothing! Best food to snack on whether you are happy or sad. 

12. Chocolate. This one is self-explanatory. 

13. Twitter. This platform has gotten me through some of my worst times. Thank you Jack Dorsey. 

14. My degree. Even though I don’t get to use my Economics degree as often as I would like to, I am still very proud to have achieved it and grateful to have had that experience. 

15. Leicester. Man, the way I love this place. I just hope that one day I will be able to visit again. I learnt so much about myself while living there. 

16. Music. Where would we be without music? 

17. To have been loved. There’s no better feeling than being loved hey. And in my 28 years I am grateful to have known such a beautiful love. 

18. To have loved. R.D Clyde said, ‘the greatest joy of life is to love and be loved.’ 

19. My career. I have had the privilege to have worked in some of the most enabling environments ever. I have worked in places that allowed me to grow and discover what it is exactly that makes me happy. It’s been a beautiful experience. 

20. Failure. I have been afraid of failing all my life and to an extent I still am, a little. But there are so many beautiful lessons to be learnt from failing, and I am grateful for those.

Ad break. It’s getting more difficult to come up with more things I am grateful for. But 20, damn! I am so proud of myself! 

21. How I Met Your Mother. For those who don’t know, this is an American sitcom. I have been watching this show since I was 17 and through thick and thin, those 6 friends have always had my back. I mean it does help that they are fictional. Point is, whenever I have felt down or defeated, an episode of this show has always been able to cheer me up. 

22. God. Well I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the big man upstairs, so He deserves the credit. 

23. Books. My mom taught me how to read when I was just 4 years old and I have been able to escape my reality and enter new worlds ever since then. I am grateful for books that have taught me so many lessons and provided me comfort when I needed it. 

24. My laptop. I got my first laptop as a gift from my mum back in 2011 and I named him Eli. In 2013, I traded Eli for Ezra (newer, stylish, colourful model). Unfortunately I lost Ezra in a horrible incident in late 2019. You will forever be missed Ezra. I then bought my current laptop in 2020 that is still yet to be named. But it’s portable, sleek and allows me to write down my thoughts (like today), whenever I want to. 

25. Summer. Yes, I am grateful for an actual season. As much as I hate the bugs that come with it, I love warmth and the sun. So here’s to you summer. 

26. Wine. Okay I really am running out of things to be grateful for. But I really do love wine. Who knew fermented grapes could slap so much? Thank you to whoever came up with that concept. 

27. Oratile. This is my sister that I live with who by default has become my best friend cos well, she is always there hey. I am grateful that despite our 8 year gap, we still have such a beautiful relationship. And for being the best auntie to my baby. 

28. You. Yes you. For sitting through this long list and taking the time to read my blog. You are amazing. 

That was quite a trip. I am so grateful for my 28 turns around the sun. Happy birthday Larona and to all the other August babies.