12 things about 2024

 I am attempting to have a footprint for 2024 on my blog. I wrote 2 blog posts last year and I aim to improve on that record this year even as late in the year as it is. 

2024 has been a pretty decent year if truth be told. Only some challenges that have limited some of the desires I have but God has come through in so many ways, I can't even complain. 

I have too many reasons to be thankful cos I know it could have been so much worse than it has been. 

Having experienced a gang up, I know how it feels to be picked upon for no real reason but I daresay it grew me for I doubt I would have had as many conversations with BigG otherwise. 

I must acknowledge that my family has enjoyed so much grace and help and I believe it was just yesterday I realised we did not have to go to the hospital AT ALL all year and knowing the health of every single one of us, THAT is a highpoint!

I wanted to document at least 12 things from this year that stand out for me. 

Easily, the 1st is an amazing young lady I met at a conference I spoke at in Lagos. She came to me and expressed how moving my presentation was for her and on the second day, sought me out to let me know how blessed she was by how I spoke. I have had many people compliment how I teach but she stood out cos she works in a veterinary establishment and is not a Vet. 

The 2nd is another young lady who I am grateful to God to have some distance from. She constantly brought me in contact with information I didn't want and didn't need and while I tried and tried, I just could not get her to see and understand how important a pure and gentle spirit was to me. 

The 3rd is how grateful I am for an experience my younger daughter had. It was first traumatic and then it became a praise point. The true definition of all things work for the good of those loved by God and called according to His purposes. 

The next is the revelation of the awesomeness that is my older daughter. She showed such courage when it was required that I kept checking to see who this super lady is. Again and again, she has showed more sense and class than adults twice her age and I am immensely proud of the person she is. Aside of being her parent, I like her and am friends with her. 

Next is the one I call partner. I am unsure how to speak of this as we are as a couple, intensely irregular. The laughter and intensity sometimes makes me pause but I am very grateful for him. We make memories and have a history no one would believe but I constantly choose not to speak about this enigma that I keep discovering. 

Next is this cloud, made up of an assortment. They picked me for whatever reason to use as replacement for their guy. I heard of it and as with all such, ignored till I saw evidence. Then I heard of more meetings and conspiracies. Again, I looked away for I knew that would be foolhardy. I knew what went down and knew there was no way to spin it to make me the one who did wrong. They tried and alongside it was great pain till it pissed me off. Every single sliver is known even though they think otherwise. It has been problematic holding it in though. 

Next is the opportunity I got to teach this year, undergrad, postgrad and professional. It has been such a joy! If I could have lived off the feeling, it would have been great. Not that the job paid fantastic before but it was at least adequate for a few things but now, well I am grateful that I get to share the expertise I've gained over time. 

Next is the spiritual. Wow! I developed greater intimacy with my BigG and it was not always pretty. There was begging and whining and anger and then back to making deals and then anger again. I would not prefer not to have had these experiences for the person I am today is by far a vastly improved version of whom I used to be and I owe it all to the intimacy developed in the past year. 

Next is the physical. I've had physical challenges for a bit but I'd been managing them quite well. If I didn't say you couldn't tell. I learned new ways to cope this year and even moderated in ways I never thought possible. The body is leaner and a better machine for what needs doing. 

Next is the definition of my tribe. I redefined what my tribe is and I realised that some will never get a chance to be a part as their heart revealed who they could be but chose not to be. Knowing the truth and choosing to side with evil is not a recommendation I can go past. I release them to the outer darkness. 

Next is the way I process feedback going forward.  I am quite okay with being ignored as I already deal with more than I should. I respect peoples' right to their opinion of me but please do not be offended if I don't react in the manner you would like. My opinion of me supercedes yours. And for the record, I like, nay love me. If I could, I'd date me. So, sorry, not sorry!

Lastly, I found bits of me this year that I did not know I had. My love of reading, my need for family, my bougie bits, my motherhood, my need for right no matter whose ox is gored. I realise what a revelation life is. And it's ongoing-ness. I find I love life and am having a great time of it. 

As 2024 ends, I am filled with thanks for every single bit of it. While I have gone through it and have no desire to have a do-over, I am very grateful for the experience. I look forward to 2025 and what it holds. 

Maybe that will be my next post, the 12 expectations of 2025.