I met Collins some years ago. A young teacher who had been posted into our community. It’s a small community. Everyone knows everybody’s name and everyone knows everyone’s family name and the history of every family. We met in church. His first time coming to the church so he was called to come in front to introduce himself. He got up, “My name is Collins. I’m a teacher. I was posted here not too long ago. I’d come to worship with you.” He got his applause and the lady on duty directed him to my table. That was the first…
Author: town gist
I was very young when I started asking about my father. We lived in a compound house. Every household had a man in it. A man who was in control of the affairs of the household. We had none. All I had was my mother. I saw her going to the market early in the morning and coming back late in the night. In the afternoon when I returned from school, I would join her in the market. That’s where I would have my lunch and also do my homework. In the evening, I would help her pack all the…
My father died when I was seven. He travelled before I was born. He never came back again until his corpse was returned home. I didn’t know him. I didn’t even see a picture of him. It was always my mom when I was a child until she married again and had my brother and sister. That marriage also didn’t work. The man was abusive. I was old enough to see what he took my mom through. He warned me not to call him dad because he wasn’t my dad. I was very young but I hated him. I was…
I’m always late for work. There’s a name they call me. They don’t say it in front of me but behind me. I know the sound but I don’t get to hear the word. When they see me coming to work, they speak among themselves and laugh. I don’t blame them. I deserve it. If you invite me to a wedding, I will be late. If you invite me to your baby’s christening, I’ll be late. I’m late for church. I’m late for everything because of my husband. We fought about it on several occasions until I realized that he indeed…
I was out of a job for two years. My boyfriend was there for me. He gave me some allowance and when I needed something, he came in to help. Aside from that, he was the one who encouraged me to stay strong and look at the face of God for a miracle. One day, he gave me a man’s number and asked me to call because the man had agreed to help me get a job. I called this man in my boyfriend’s presence and he asked me to see him in his office the following day. It was…
On a sunny afternoon, Samuel and his girlfriend Ivy were driving around the city, enjoying their time together in the pleasant weather. As they stopped at a gas station to refuel, they noticed a girl begging for money with a sad look and a suffering expression. Moved, Samuel approached the girl and asked kindly, “Hi, are you okay? Why are you here begging for money?” The girl, with tears in her eyes, replied, “My name is Alice. I suffer at home because my mother is an alcoholic and doesn’t care about me. I need help to eat and survive.” Ivy,…
For Kathy and Brandon Gunn, it had been the magical day they had dreamed of: food, family, and amazing wedding memories. The happy couple watched everyone laugh, drink, and dance the night away. The gift table was also overflowing with touching generosity, but there was one, in particular, that caught their eye. The silver-wrapped box had a sealed envelope attached; the only thing written on it gave them very specific instructions not to open it until the first argument as husband and wife. It was so tempting, but they restrained themselves. Eventually, the gift ended up forgotten in their closet.…
I am a young mother of two. We got married in 2017 and we have lived together peacefully since then. I actually met him through my mom. My mom and his mom used to be coworkers at one government hospital. I had just graduated from university and I was waiting for my call up letter so I would go for service. Being the first child of my parents, my mom was always on my neck to get married even when it was one of the least things on my mind then. She has been pressuring me ever since I was…
Our marriage was only three months old when I saw my husband smoking for the first time. I was shocked. I thought it was a prank to see how I will react. I rushed to him, snatched it from his hand, and threw it away. I got burnt on the finger but that didn’t bother me a lot. I said, “What kind of joke is that? It’s not funny, don’t ever do it again.” And then he showed me the whole pack in his pocket. I said, “Are you ok? Where from this? Where did you pick it from?” He…
I call her Joy Joyce. That’s not her real name. It’s a nickname we gave to someone as a joke but it became her nickname along the line. The name that used to invoke laughter now just fills my heart with heaviness. Every time my phone rings I expect to see her name on my screen, only to end up disappointed that she is not the one calling me. She is the one who introduced me to this page so I am sharing our story here with the hope that she will see it and understand how much I love…