Just Don’t Say Good Morning!

There’s always something good about the morning. Circumstances might look so bad but each morning offers something to look forward to. Something to hope for.

I spent the past week struggling with malaria’s headaches and fever while meeting up deadlines in a faraway town. I was lonely and away from the care of those who mattered most. Somehow in the midst of all the chaos, I had contracted an infection that made my throat sore. The amoxicillin tablets didn’t seem to help so much at first but I felt better on Sunday.

I knew I had also added some weight. I was constantly on medication and had lost taste for water. I had to cut back on my new found water therapy. All my visits to the gym in spite of my sickness was just a waste. Now I would have to pay for adding weight (I am on a fun weight loss programme at work where you have to pay if you added any pounds during the weigh in periods) H tried to console me and helped me to look forward to a brand new week.

I couldn’t wait to start a new, healthy week.

You can then understand my frustrations when I woke up with that nagging sore throat again on Monday. Damn all people that produce fake medicine.  I tried to look forward to resuming my healthy living programme. Something bright at least. I prepped for work and H dropped me at the bus stop. He had engagements on the mainland and as usual, I would rather take the bus than drive. So I boarded a bus to Obalende.

I slept through most of the journey until the rain started to pour. I had to reset my memory form sleep. Isn’t it January? It had drizzled a bit in the early hours of the morning but I wasn’t expecting anything serious, after all, it was January. Enough of the self-argument, I had more pressing issues. I was seated by the door. I don’t need to explain to my fellow Nigerians but in case a foreigner is reading this, the summary of it is that a quarter of me got wet because the door wouldn’t close properly.

The bus had no wipers too and we moved on the Third Mainland bridge at the pace of a snail - meaning, automatically, I was late.

There just had to be something bright about this morning. So I rejoiced in the fact that the rain was subsiding and only about a quarter of me was wet. I gladly paid my fare and alighted at Obalende to get a tricycle headed for Adeola Odeku. I didn’t have to wait a second and off to work I was. I didn’t check the time on purpose. I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to get to work, weigh in, let everybody laugh at me and then grab a great week.

And the rain started to pour again.

And it flooded the streets.

And I couldn’t alight at my bus stop because it was flooded.

So I rode with Keke man to the next comfortable stop heading for the shades.

It didn’t take that rain 30 seconds and I was drenched. Totally drenched. Birthday hair gone (that’s on Friday) New Year suede work shoes gone. Fine Monday dress gone, jacket drenched too! There was absolutely no need for shade. I crossed in the rain to the other side of the road but then realized I couldn’t even go to work that drenched. I saw a keke man parked by the street probably waiting for the floods to subside so I entered his keke in solemn solidarity and hoping to re-strategize.

Should I call in sick? – I am anyways

Call in wet and just go back home? – I left my keys at home and H had gone out already.

Look for a friend’s place to change? – On a Monday morning?

Finally, I swallowed whatever pride was left in me and waded the floods into our gigantic towers. Just at the base of the lift, I met one sweet loving colleague who was shocked at the sight of wet me.

‘Ehw!’ He said and on catching himself he tried to mutter a good morning.

‘Please say anything else, just don’t say good morning’ I said to him trying to put on the best smile I could put together.

Well, it’s just a few minutes past noon and I am dry, happy that I eventually chose work, I didn’t gain as much as I thought I had ( I am still paying) and there’s still so much to look forward to this beautiful week.

So why the story?

There’s always something good about the morning. Circumstances might look so bad but the morning offers something to look forward to. Something to hope for.

Joy truly comes with every morning!

Good morning!Just Don't Say Good Morning