Short story:
"It is easier to nurture a young child than to repair an adult"
December 25, 1975.......
Songs, dance, laughing etc were the order of the day in the Adam's family. A beautiful nuclear family consisting of four and half members. Mr and Mrs Adams got married seven years ago, precisely December 24, 1968 which happened to be on Christmas eve. Since the day vows were exchange between the two and the nuptial knot was tied, God has been so faithful to their family.
The union between a space of Seven years has been blessed with a mansion, three exotic cars and two lovely kids and the entire family awaits expectantly the arrival of the third one inside Mrs Adams' womb.
Cynthia, who happens to be the eldest child is seen trying to help her heavily pregnant mother to move unused items and materials back to the store room. While Micheal, the second born is seen watching a movie in the sitting room with keen interest.
At exactly 10:30pm, Mrs Adam's, was on her way to her room in order to call it a day when she suddenly felt contractions and shouted. Mr Adams, without hesitating rushed to where his wife was.
At 11:55pm, Mrs Adam's who was crying and panting some minutes ago because of child labour was seen in the maternity ward lying on the bed of St Harvard Teaching Hospital with her new born baby placed directly beside her in a baby's court. She was beaming with smiles and the whole family were giving thanks to God for the safe delivery and for the precious gift of life that has just been added to the family.
January 1,1976.......................
The long awaited day has finally come, everywhere is bubbling, lousy and loved ones and well wishers were seen busy doing one thing or the other in preparation for the naming ceremony of the new baby boy.
Cynthia and Micheal with so much happiness radiating all over their faces walked up to their Mum and said, "Mummy we can't wait for our brother to be given a name". Their mother looked at them and smiled. They later named the child Joshua.
December 25, 1990...................
It was on a Friday morning, exactly fifteen years ago when Joshua was given birth to. The baby boy of yesterday is now gradually becoming a man. Joshua, just like his father, looks so handsome, tall and healthy. He was seen sitting in one corner of his room lost in a deep thought while his mother who just returned from her Shop not too long decided to check up on him.
Joshua! Josh!! , Joshua!!!.............. , that was how the mother was calling out on him but he was lost in his thoughts. Mrs Adams walked up to her Son and gave him a tap on his back in order to bring him out of his thoughts.
"My son, you know your father and I love you so much and we won't trade that love for anything. You children are our world and your wellbeing is our priority. So tell me my Son, what could have made a young boy like you to be lost in deep thoughts? I am so sure that, as parents in our own little way, we have made sure everything needed by you all are met and you have nothing to worry about. So tell me, what's up about this sad countenance you are wearing on your face? My love, please talk to me, you know i am your mother and I love you so much".
Like someone that suddenly remembered something, he looked straight into the eyes of his mother and started sobbing like a baby. His mum, got up and embraced him trying to comfort him and calm him down. After some minutes, the young boy was able to pull himself together.
"Mum, you and dad claimed to love me but I really doubt if you truly do. If I may ask you mum, why did you have favourites among your children and why is it that you give preferential treatments to my elder Sister and my elder brother? Why are you making me feel as if I don't belong to this family?"
" Hold it", the mother yelled at him. "Joshua, are you out of your mind? Tell me, what on earth has come over you that is making you to say all this rubbish. I won't take that nonsense from you at all. Don't be so ridiculous and ungrateful." Clapped his mum
"There we go again mum". Wimpered Josh.
" I am so sorry Son for talking to you in such a manner, please forgive me. Now tell me, what exactly is going on? "
"Mum, just because I wasn't doing well academically, you and dad stopped caring about me. It's true I am going through academic challenges but that doesn't mean I don't have areas of which i am excelling. Did you even know that i am the lead vocalist in my school? What if I told you mum, that I also play drums, I compose songs, write movie scripts, act and i am also the school team goalkeeper. How would you know! , when you are too busy looking for money at the expense of you looking after your children's development. You thought academic excellence is the only thing that a child can have to make you proud parents, No.. there are so many talents, gifts, potentials and God given abilities that God has deposited in each and everyone of us. As good parents, especially you being our mother, it's your duty to take your time and study your children's area of strengths and weaknesses and help us discover our purpose, passion, talents, gifts, etc.
How dare you say a child is a dullard or that child is weak. In the process of you saying this with the negative attitudes that follows after, you are gradually killing the child's self esteem and causing him or her to develop inferiority complex. Mum, do you know that there are many occasions when I had personal things to discuss with someone I can trust but you and dad were not always available to listen to me. I tried to say some things, but you are just too busy to notice that I was saying something. If I may ask you, when last did you create time for both of us so that we can sit down together like mother and child and discuss. You don't even know the kind of friends that i am keeping, my weaknesses and strengths, likes and dislikes, ambitions, purpose, dreams, etc and you believe you are taking good care of us.
Let me let you know that money is not everything that a child needs. A child needs you to be there for him or her when necessary, he or she needs your emotional support, words of confidence and so on.
Mrs Adam's, who has been sobbing profusely stood up and hugged her Son tightly, begging on behalf of herself, her husband, Cynthia and Micheal for his forgiveness in anyway they might have hurt and wronged him with their actions.
"We are so sorry love and i am promising you that from now onward, we would be a better, caring and loving parents to you. Son, please forgive and forget and let's continue to be that one big happy family.
Moral of the Story:
When u are given a precious gift of life and you are happy and all, just know that it is your absolute right to make that child a happy child. Be there for each of your children, don't let life make you forget your responsibilities as a parent. Money is actually not everything. Also, help your children discover themselves and their purpose. Not every child would be academically sound. Do not belittle your child by always making comparisons with other children, Let your child make you a safe haven to run to for shelter whenever he/she is in need. Remember, you brought them to this world, take responsibility over them till they are capable to stand on their own. Nurture them well because they will be your reflection long after you have died and gone.