A warm happy
new year to all of you out there even though it’s almost three months gone
already. Hmmm, how time flies. Just yesterday we all shouted “happy new year”
on the 1st of January.
Nonetheless,
let me still wish everyone a very “warm happy new year”. Did anyone just say “yeah
right? Here we go again, it’s another year”? If yes then it means you
understand why I used the word “warm”.
Yes, the
year 2018 was a very “trying” (with emphasis) one for many as in ‘very many
people’.
‘Trying’ or
‘challenging’ not just in terms of making ends meet as in cash, but was both
challenging mentally and emotionally for many individuals and families.
In business,
especially for entrepreneurs (mostly young and fresh ones) it was like passing
a camel through the eye of a needle. In the end, a lot of businesses folded up
while others (including some already long established ones) almost followed suit but for grace and
elastic doggedness which kept them just ‘hanging in there’ many of them almost
lost their minds whilst trying to hold their heads and businesses above the
stormy economic waters in the country.
Mentally and
emotionally, many relationships crumbled as deception could no longer hold the midpoints
of these relationships. The saving word for the ones that remained was “grace”.
Depression
and suicide (attempts inclusive) became the order of the day leaving loved ones
behind with a plethora of unanswered questions.
Domestic
violence, children (male and female) abuse was part of daily news and happened
nearly in every community with many still not reported till date for fear of
stigmatization.
The most
inhumane one was that of robbers/kidnappers who took their vices to another
level by going ritualistic with the stealing of female undies thus making even
the most innocent at heart their victims all in the name of money making.
Oh! 2018 was
horrendous to say the least for many. Sadly even the politicians did not make
it any better. Hmmm! Let me just spare us the (no need to remind us) details.
However in
all of the aforementioned, it was still a memorable year for some group of
persons as they had reasons to celebrate a few success stories (here and there)
in the course of the year. Babies were born, weddings held, cars were bought,
musical hits were recorded (from new and existing artists) so were deals signed,
some people opened new houses while some others had successful surgeries, and
many more. Most importantly, the country did not go up completely in flames.
Hmmm 2018!
That year!! Thank God you’re gone for good!!!
We pray that
2019 will indeed be a good year and thus make up for the many losses of 2018.
Once again,
happy New Year folks! *winks*
By the way,
did any of you make new resolutions this year? And how well have you held up?
Stella Ene - Inyang
