True maturity is when someone hurts you deeply and you try to understand their situation and circumstances instead of hurting them back. My father is a devil in disguise and he knows it. we all know it. For the sake of peace, harmony and manageable happiness, I and my siblings decided to let go of the thoughts of some of the unpleasant things he has done to us over the years. But you know; no matter how much you dig up the ground, you will always come across sand. Therefore, the thought of everything our father has done to us can never disappear because they are scars beneath our skins.
Thank God for the beautiful skin he has given us. Besides, this forgiveness decided to come into place after our dad’s mystery friend successfully summoned me, my younger sister and my mum to his house after several failed attempts. I believe that the most expensive thing to earn in this world is trust. Based on this philosophy, my notion is that it is a planned work between my dad and his mystery friend to plan something evil for us. Different thoughts started popping into my head, thoughts like “does he want to kill us?”, “he definitely wants to disgrace us”, “no, he wants to beat my mum” and other thoughts like that. Of course I have a right to think like this because of the years of experience living in the shadow of constant fear. Meanwhile, our mum encouraged and convinced us that nothing bad is going to happen to us.IT was gloomy day, however, we came we saw and we conquered! Seeing my dad for the first time after many years is more like seeing something that never existed. I never greeted him but my sister did. I have never been as brave as I was on that day. My initial intention was that if my dad should raise his hands to beat me or any of us, it would be the last day he ever raised a hand on any of us.
Fortunately, for him, he didn’t. His friend asked me to apologize for not greeting him which I did eventually after getting over my stubbornness. I asked for permission from them so that I can have a speech. I was allowed to talk and I said what was on my mind. I even threatened him that if he ever raises his hands on my mum ever again, I will deal with the situation personally and make sure he oes to jail. Thereafter, he started criticizing me like a relentless snake that wants to devour its prey. Despite his criticism and humiliation the matter was resolved for the time being. We all went through alot with him in our lives. However, my mum and dad currently live separately but they communicate often. They communicate with us often as well.
Few months after, I lost my younger sister. She was in her final year of university during the time she died. The autopsy report said that she died of typhoid. My dad blamed and insulted my mum for this; her family included. The reason he gave is that my mum supported my sister, when she ran away from home during her pregnancy. I wonder what would have become of her without the support of my Mum before her death.
Bud luck and events lurked in our family. My second sister, Clara, was robbed and raped before Grace’s death. She only revealed the events after Grace’s death. Grace’s death united the family and makes it stronger than ever before. There is this regret I have to date and that is the fact that I do not have a personal picture of her. The only one I have is of when she was still a child. Before her death, she often called and chatted with me more than i reached out to her. She was more intelligent, brilliant and righteous than I am. As I am writing this story, I still feel sad that I am not a worthy sibling to her. She left behind a five year old son. May God be with you, my sister! I am sure you are wondering why I could not just ask her boyfriend for the pictures. The truth is, I asked. In fact, I bothered him severally for them. He keeps saying the pictures are on Grace’s phone and the phone went missing. One other picture is on Facebook as well. Well she was never one to take many pictures. This is one thing I am happy about actually. The son she left behind looks alot like her. He is also intelligent, brilliant, smart, strong and active. I see his mother’s eyes in him and I am grateful for the amazing gift she left behind.