Saturday, August 13, 2011

Today, I cried...




Today, I cried. No, I wasn’t flogged but I cried. I cried for the many times I had encountered near deaths, illnesses and other unpleasant situations and through it all God brought me out unscarred. I cried because I realise how ungrateful we all are sometimes. Because we complain about the lack of mundane things and fail to show appreciation for the essentials handed to us on a platter of gold.

I think about all those mornings I snooze for an extra 10minutes a total of 3 times before I finally get out of bed thereby saying so short a prayer I cannot remember once I jump into the bath!

I think about the many times I witnessed accidents on 3rd mainland bridge and many of the other death traps we refer to as highways. I remember the journeys I have made within and outside the city, times my flight experienced turbulence and through it all I am still here.

The last 4 weeks have been really eventful for me. I have been happy, sad and indifferent; but isn’t that what life’s about. An acquaintance from my undergrad days passed away a day before she was to resume at an oil company in Lekki; she had been job hunting since 2008.

Sadly, last week we had met and spoken briefly at the airport in Abuja. Her mum found my card in her purse and called to inquire if she owed me as the family wanted to settle all her debts before the burial.

I’m just reading the story of Olajuwura Amoo-Onidundu and that’s what made me cry. Last month I had some medical issues to deal with but I was strong enough to get into an argument with the nurse. She had cut open the syringe before my entry into the injection room so I insisted a new one be used. When the matron intervened she said, ‘it would amount to waste of resources’, I then retorted with an indifferent look that if my HMO plan can’t cover the cost of an extra syringe then I’ll pay cash!

Since the introduction of HMOs, healthcare delivery seems to have nosedived even at the so called ‘good private hospitals’. A colleague was recently asked if he wanted silver, gold or platinum treatment after being diagnosed of malaria at the hospital. Apparently, the class of treatment he chooses would determine the type of drugs to be prescribed, recovery timeline and ultimately the bill!

 I won’t even mention government hospitals where you have to run around to buy everything from gloves to syringe and injection, drip etc; God help you if you’re in labour and there’s no family member in sight; well, you can tip a student doctor to help you. I know this from a friend’s labour experience at LASUTH/Ayinke Hospital.

All in all, I believe we, as a people, as a nation still have a chance to get better. To correct the anomalies, seize the future and make it truly ours. You and I can start by being truthful and faithful in all our dealings.

Have a fabulous weekend!

N.B
The original post for today EXPATRIATE IN THE BUILDING would be up next week!

33 comments:

deolascope said...

There are so many things we overlook, so many things we have to be grateful for. Its so amazing the way God keeps showing us his mercies even when we don't deserve it. Thank you for this lovely post, truly what i needed.

And a BIG THANK YOU GOD, for all your infinite mercies upon my life, family, friends, country...... everything is well because of YOU!

Giagerry said...

Yes, a Big thank you to God for sure!

Natural Nigerian said...

We have to stay strong and remember always to be the change we want to see in the world.

Dee! said...

The song that came to mind as I read this post was "Can't give up now" by Mary Mary.

"I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started...
Nobody told me the road would be easy
And I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me..."


There are times when I CRY and CRY... but after the tears I thank God for ALL!

Have a blessed week ahead.

Molara Brown said...

I love this post and I love you.
I know how many days I have been ungrateful to the Creator.

We need to move our nation forward and it starts with our individual actions.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post.....may the souls of the departed rest in peace :(

9jaFOODie said...

Good one, sometimes we forget to thank God for things we have. even the air we breath is a luxury that most cannot afford, as my step mum used to say "if you want to learn a lesson on how to appreciate life, take a visit to the moto bike accident unit in LUTH".

DiDi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DiDi said...

So on point, We often forget to THANK GOD but nag about things not going right. Guess this is where the STOP,TAKE A MOMENT & REFLECT COMES TO PLAY. So sorry about your friend. May her Soul Rest In Peace.

@ilola said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend. I pray she is in a better place

Sisi Yemmie said...

i had to read the post...utter negligence, it is so sad...iive been so ungrateful...i need to change

kitkat said...

gosh, i'm tired of readin bout sso many deaths :( we need to be more grateful for God's grace

P.E.T. Projects said...

Deolascope, Giagerry: Thank God for HIS mercies


Natural Nigerian: Im beginning to really think about this, am I not falling short of what's expected? Are we all doing enough?

Dee: Thanks for reminding me, its being awhile since I listened to those ladies!

'Lara: I love you too dear... and yes, it start with us!

P.E.T. Projects said...

Ibhade: Amen

9jaFoodie: That hospital bit is scary, however, it humbles you and helps you put things in the right perspective!

Didi: I guess so too

@ilola: I pray so too.


Sisi Yemmie: I feel so sad, especially because those children will never know their mum!

Kitkat: Too many deaths, way too many...

Prism of an Immigrant said...

Thank God for live. May your friend rest in peace and may God comfort those she left behind.

As for our roads and that thing we call our healthcare system, only God will deal with those who are chopping the money that is supposed to be used for their maintenance.

Daughter of Her King said...

U know today I was just walking to my work place. All I kept on saying was thank God, thank God for the littlest insignificant things that I have never thought about including the bacteria that works for my good.

I pray I will live to appreciate him forever.U are right we should be thankful for all and everything.

The bible says in everything we should make our supplications known to God with thanksgiving, always showing gratitude...

THANK U LORD...

GOD WILL CONTINUE TO HELP US TO HELP OURSELVES TO REMAIN GRATEFUL....

A-9ja-Great said...

Ok,now i understand why you cried and you really have reasons to be overwhelmed.What can i say though? God is merciful and simply awesome,that's the reason we're all here!

Unknown said...

Reading the initial part of this, I must say, Lord, I am grateful. Sincerely, the distractions of life are just too much such that we sometimes fail to give thanks for the little we have.

And for Nigerian hospitals, I rest my case. My dudushewa is a student doctor, so I know from the many stories she tells me everyday... I just wish those people will start seeing life as delicate than actually an experiment... It is well.

- LDP

N.I.L (Naijamum in London) said...

The death of your friend really made me sad.

God, forgive us for being ungrateful.

Take care dearie
xoxoxox

Gbemisoke said...

hmmm
Juwura's story made me cry when I heard it too. Remember I did a post about it cos I had a similar experience? Reading the more detailed story months after is even more painful... *sigh*
I am thankful

@ilola said...

Hello gurl. I have started the natural hair blog for africans today. I decided not to wait till next year anymore. You can check it out and follow at africanaturalistas.blogspot.com.

I will start updating tips as from Friday. You berra be the first follower. lol

Myne said...

I read about Juwara's death on the Thisday website and almost shed tears too. God help us in Nigeria...

Anonymous said...

I really liked the article, and the very cool blog

Ginger said...

We should never tire of singin praises to God for what he saves us from especially the ones we never see.

Healthcare in Nigeria does not exist....where do we even start? abeg leave matter.

Apinke said...

I have missed so much. How r ya?

Naija4Life said...

The Deathcare called Healthcare is one of the reasons I will not return to live in Nigeria permanently anytime soon and I make no apologies for it. I have also been affected personally but I'll leave that for another day.

I'm sorry to hear the death of your friend for something completely avoidable.

Anonymous said...

Every day is a blessing! every single day - we shouldn't take it for granted. God is great and I will forever be grateful to him.

may her soul rest in peace.

PS: Nigerian hospitals scare me...

dayor said...

*Great Sigh*

How we take God for granted...?
May her soul Rest in Peace

stelzz said...

i read the story too and it was so so sad. We need a change in our dear country o. like you, I know God is the one who still keeps me alive and i'm grateful to Him everyday.

Che said...

wow, sorry about your friend. I just read the story of Juwura and I was in shock. I feel for the family and can only imagine what they must be going through. May God strengthen them in this time of grief. I am so grateful to God for life, good health and everything.

HoneyDame said...

I just saw this, for the longest time, I wasnt able to get post updates..
Ha, my heart weeps at that story...it feels so heavy....very heavy....uhm

Anonymous said...

"...as a nation still have a chance to get better." Hmmm, sincerely i think we really have no choice but, to get better.

This (Nigeria) is home, so, we "...truthful and faithful in all our dealings."

Uche (@UcheAnne) said...

Thanks for this reminder to be grateful for those big little things we enjoy every day.