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December always comes with a different kind of feeling that always motivates you to want to try something special. At the start of the year, people always go about their lives trying to get by and improve in places where they need to the most especially in the area of finances. However when 12th month becomes visible in the rear view mirror, a lot of things start to change. You begin to think about how to make the best of the last month of the year so that you don't end up having the hustle as the only memory you have for 365 days. Many people start to fantasize about places they intend to explore, the food the meals they either plan on eating or just buying it, beautiful memories to be made and how to have a great time with family, friends or loved ones. The month is often referred to as the holiday season and to a lot of people, it is the only time they genuinely get to have fun so obviously it is definitely going to be something to look forward to.
There is always this unique type of excitement that December always carries when it is around the corner. Even before the festivities start, you can already see it on people's faces and smell it in the air. You'll start hearing Christmas songs playing in the neighborhood, notifications popping in from different angles anticipating what's to come, businesses warming up for the rush ahead and the colour of white and red decorating everywhere you look. When you think about all that the month represents, who wouldn't want to be part of such a wonderful experience?? Well I do and I always will......
Last year December, I was forced to come back home under the pretense that my father was sick and honestly that still pricks me till today. This year I plan on doing the very same thing I missed out on in 2025 which is enjoy the festivities in Ondo state (Ilaje to be precise) with people I have grown so fond I almost feel like we are family. After spending just three months away from them, I've realized I really really want to go back to a place I can proudly call home. I have spent a huge chunk of the year making decisions to make everyone around me happy, always trying to do right but others and working myself to the bone so I think it's time I do something for myself this December but there's just a tiny bitty problem - Finances. I know my mind is already made up about this but for some misguided reason, my pocket just doesn't seem to align with my interest.
During the December period, the cost of living becomes extremely expensive especially when Christmas is but a few days away. In Nigeria, the price of food, clothes and other necessities increase making it quite difficult for ordinary men to cope. Since people are always travelling during the period, transportation also experiences a hike in prices which unfortunately spells bad news to me. Moving from Niger state to Ilaje is an 18 hour journey so one can already imagine how expensive it'll be at a time when transport agencies are at their busiest. Despite being expensive price is not even the worst part of it all, the insecurity problem is .
A month ago, my neighbor was kidnapped in kogi state on his way to osun which is very close to Ondo state. Now kogi state is already know for being one the most dangerous places to travel through so just imagine what'll happen at a time when kidnappers are at their most active phase. I do not want to risk my wellbeing on the hopes that I might be among the lucky few to seam through that route safely. As much as I'd love to take that risk, I know the universe has other plans for be that, I'll be staying right here because a boring December celebration is way more important than a mourning one...