20 Years and 20/20 Vision

 

I was thinking this morning...... Last Friday, 22nd November, was the Long Service Award (LSA) ceremony in my organisation. Staff that had put in 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service were honoured. I am still in awe that it's been 20 years since I walked into that office to commence a new career. Wow! 20 years no be beans o.

As I walked into the majestic and grand EUI Event Centre in GRA Port-Harcourt, the large hall room unfolded like an outstretched arm. Soft light danced, a gentle ethereal glow, illuminated round tables with empty seats, in silence they bestowed.

Along with other awardees and our guests, we gradually filled the hall, gorgeously dressed to receive my award for 20 years of meritorious service. As the roll call progressed, I remembered July 2004 when I resumed work in this world-class organisation. After years of kabashing, my prayers were finally answered.

Twenty years had since flown by like the NASA X-43 jet. I started my new career with lots of dreams and aspirations. Many had been answered and some yet to be answered. As I reflected on the past 20 years, I felt like I had underachieved. But then, as I mused, I discovered that the blessing is not in the position one occupies today but rather it is in being alive to be celebrated after 20 years.

In the last few weeks, we have been stunned by the death of three colleagues, with the latest sad news breaking on the morning of Friday, the day of the Long Service Award. While many of us were preparing for our 20 years LSA, this lady that had been with us for about 20 years was no more.

I have long known that hindsight is 20/20 vision. 20/20 indicates normal vision at 20 feet, although it is commonly used to mean 'perfect vision.' When someone is able to see only after an event how things turned out, that person is often said to have had "20/20 hindsight. For many of my colleagues, celebrating 20 years was a time to eat, drink, and feast, but for me, 20 years was a time to reflect on the last 20 years. Truly, hindsight is 20/20 vision.

For the last 20 years, I have been thankful for being alive, for my career, and for friends and colleagues. Romans 9:16 - So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey