Frantic

  

It was a bit late at night but the moon had decided to bless the earth with it's brightness. So it wasn't too dark. I looked at my toddler's sleeping form, she was still fast asleep. I briefly wondered if she would still sleep later in the night because she had been sleeping since late afternoon. We were the only ones in the compound. Her father was at work and our neighbors were away. I needed to get some groceries from Mama' Ilorin's shed very close to our compound. Mama Ilorin as everyone calls her, is one of the major retailers in our area. I had two options...it was either I wake my toddler so she could go with me, then I'd have to carry her on my shoulder, because she'll certainly be too grumpy and will most likely refuse to walk. Or I quickly dash out, after all it was near the house. I could be back in 5 minutes or less. She wouldn't notice my absence for a few minutes. I chose the second option.

So I picked all that I needed and dashed out of the house. At mama' Ilorin s shed, I quickly mentioned all that I wanted to buy.

One thing with mama Ilorin is that asides from the fact that age was telling on her, and she had become tardy and slow, she sometimes wouldn't let me leave without a small chitchat. She didn't seem to realize that I had no time to spare on this particular evening so she started asking me about one of the other neighbors who had gotten married weeks ago. While I waited to get my change and goods from her , I managed to respond to her numerous questions. Old people and their unrequired inquisitiveness. I was almost giving up on mama giving me my goods when faintly, from afar I started hearing the bitter cries of a child. But I didn't stop to think it could be my daughter. She was still fast asleep now ...abi... I simply waved the thoughts. She couldn't have woken up ...no way. 

After I was able to get away from the unavoidable chitchat, I walked hurriedly towards our compound and the frantic cries got louder. I opened the gate and there before me was my frantic 2-year-old daughter, barefooted, trembling in tears. I quickly held her, amazed at how within the few minutes I had been gone she had gone from soundly sleeping to agitatedly running around the compound in search of everyone. After ensuring that she was calm. I explained to her why I had to leave her alone at home. Even though she was pacified, I felt really bad that she had been crying and afraid of being left alone. Why didn't she know that I would never live her alone?

Many a times we are like this. Frantic over what is not. When it appears as if we're all alone, in trouble, and unaware of what is going on in our lives we become frantic, desperate, depressed, and unsettled. Sometimes we cry, we try to grope around in the dark wondering why it seems those who love us and who we love have left us.

I'd like to encourage you to let this true life story of mine that I have shared here remind you that in times when you feel alone, you're not alone. Do not let a short waiting time get you agitated or frantic about the present. Always know that you're never alone, even when it's dark, help is near, love is near and the warmth and peace you desire is just around the corner.

Always resist the urge to panic, rather be patient, courageous and hopeful. Everything good will come your way.