This may look simple but it's what I've found...
Maybe it's just me, or everyone generally realizes that as we grow older, we come to understand the value of having people around us. You know, a lot of people, including myself in the past, would always boast about how living a low-key life, a life where one is not in touch with anyone, especially family members, is valid for a young person seeking to make a better life. I was once there, but as I grew older, I saw that humans need other humans around them always because, aside from the love that is shared, there are a lot of things one cannot do when separated from people.
Each time I talk with my parents on the phone, there is always a part where they begin to talk about things happening in their "family," especially about how this uncle, aunt, cousin, and so many others did this and that. Most of these "this and that" are usually good happenings. My dad would point out how one of the family members came home to help sort out issues. how he acted as the biological father of the groom for a relative who had a traditional marriage, and a whole lot of communion with people.
Before, I used to turn a deaf ear whenever he started narrating all that, insisting that he was relating with people too much and therefore didn’t have space for himself. But hey, I have come to understand that whatever good acts that come his way in the form of favour all boil down to his relationship with people.
Recently, I travelled home for the traditional marriage of one of my sisters. It wasn’t supposed to be a party since the couple had plans to host one later in the year; it was just scheduled to be the PAYMENT OF DOWRY. However, the whole situation turned out to be beyond expectations (in a positive way) when the time came. Most of my uncles and aunts travelled down from far cities to honour the occasion. A large crowd turned up, and I didn’t think too much about it because my parents have always been good at maintaining relationships with people.
I was lacking in this area before, but I had to retrace my steps and discovered that life is better when we relate with people, and there is never anything good about isolating oneself from others. My extended family is very large, so large that we, the children and grandchildren, do not even know one another well. I took it upon myself to find a way to grow closer to them, render little help in situations where I can, and once in a while say hello to those who seem distant or unconcerned about building relationships. This has brought a good name and a better life for me because, although I have been away from home, and the same applies to many members of my family, there is this respect and love that comes up whenever my name is mentioned in the family at large, unlike some people whom others do not want to associate with.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Week 209, Edition 02 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community
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