DEM NO BUY FOR ME

 

I was thinking this morning..... It's that season of the year to take a much desired rest and enjoy the fruits of the seeds we've been sowing since January. Different people enjoy their fruits in diverse ways. While those with means go on family vacation or as a mimimum, solocation, others struggling to make ends meet, are forced to enjoy staycation.

For us in Warri of those days, Christmas season was not only an opportunity to acquire new clothes and shoes, but also a time to eat rice and chicken. Not having new clothes and a pair of shoes for Christmas was the worst feeling any child could have.

On a particular Christmas after I became a teenager, a group of children stopped by our compound at Ogboru during their Christmas pilgrimage journey from house to house. After greeting us Happy Christmas, they looked up to us like the lame man at the Beautiful Gate looked to Peter and John for alms. We noticed one of the children had no shoes on. He was the only one without shoes. Thinking that he probably had lost his shoes after eating too much rice, we asked him where his shoes were. In response to our question, with his head bowed and in a soft and depressed tone, he said, 'Dem no buy for me.'

The answer of that innocent little boy has been living rent-free in my head for over 40 years. He had desired to have a pair of shoes like his friends, but his parents couldn't afford it. Nevertheless, not having a pair of shoes could not stop the little boy from joining his friends on the pilgrimage. He made up his mind to despise the shame of not having shoes like his friends. He decided that shoes or no shoes, he would enjoy his Christmas.

'Dem no buy for me,' has become my poignant reminder yearly that there are many children out there whose parents can't afford to get the very basic things required to have a memorable Christmas. Christmas is a time to share. Share your material blessings and share love. Share smiles, hugs, and nice words. If you do not have enough for your family, do not despair. Enjoy this Christmas like that little boy without shoes. Be joyful. Proverbs 17:22.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Merry Christmas!

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