proudly female!

Is there something wrong with female children? I really want some clarity here 'cos I've noticed that even in forums where women make requests for prayers for fruit of the womb, they end it with phrases such as *a male or son/sons*. In social gatherings, when it is announced that a woman has just given birth to a *bouncing baby boy*, the applause ehn! so much greater than if its a *baby girl*. Infact, women who birth male children feel so accomplished as though that's the answer to all their problems! That's why you'll see a woman with 5 or 6 female children still trying for the elusive male child! Haba! (Don't kill yourself nau, Madam)

For me, I believe that ALL children are gifts from God and female children more especially. I know the ideal is to have children of both sexes, but when this doesn't happen, you are still a complete man (woman). We need to remove the notion from our consciousness that male children are of greater value and are assets even more than females (remember the MTN advert 'mama na boy' that was pulled off just because of this same controversy). 

Infact, if you ask people that have only one sex of children, they'll tell you that female children are much more caring, compassionate and affectionate even after they get married than male children. So what are we talking about?? If we as women do not begin to speak out and advocate for our female children, pray, tell who is going to do it?

We know that the Nigerian society is not as favourably disposed to the female folk as it is to the male probably because of our patriarchal structure but we shouldn't contribute to maintaining this status-quo. Instead, we should be the voice of change and progress!! Forward ever, backward never!! :) 

PS: consider that the last three American presidents have had only girls, does that make Hilary, Laura or Michelle any less women? No O°˚, infact! Its not even an issue for the most important (politically) man in the world who has such an impressive and exclusive legacy to bequeath to his children so why should it now over-matter to Mr one bicycle and no farmland??!

the face...

This our face ehn….we take so much pride in it. That’s why we invest so much in make-up, hair, colours and of course, the almighty mirror! How exactly are we supposed to see that our beautifully-coiffured face without the aid of Ms clear and lovely mirror? Don’t get me wrong oh, I’ve always been a fan of the mirror, in fact one of her greatest fans. I had one in my every handbag, two in my car, in class, in the office, at church (yeah! gotta look good in the presence of God!), infact there’s one I carry almost everywhere and I never imagined that anything could EVER come between us.

That is until Friday the 18^th of February 2013. I had finished late from work that eventful evening, was so tired, in fact exhausted! I had been fantasising about what I was going to prepare to eat as soon I got home. Fried yam with chicken sauceJ or Spaghetti with minced meat sauce =-?. I like food that much oh, so once I arrived, I immediately set to work. But have you heard the phrase? ‘the best laid plans of men and mice’, or ‘man proposes, God disposes’, well that’s exactly what happened to me on that Friday.

So, I put the frying pan on the gas cooker, struck the match and lit the cooker; it wasn’t burning well so lil’ Ms engineer+ decided to adjust the gas head (while twas still burning), everything after that was a blur. The next thing I knew, there was a ferocious blue flame right in my face, then screams from my mom, neighbours shouting fire, fire. Well, the fire was put out and everything settled down. Everything that is, except my face. It felt very hot as though it was burning and gradually darkening.

The fine babe in me quickly kicked in, I went straight to the internet and checked out remedies for burns which I immediately applied. Shea butter, then honey and then aloe vera, what didn’t I try? But of course, it was too early to quantify the damage or even the effect of all the treatments I applied. The next morning I didn’t recognise my face and little Ms Mirror became an instant enemy. I couldn’t stand to look at my face or what it had become overnight. I still shudder to think of it.

The doctor’s prescription plus my own herbal remedies became a daily dose meant to restore my beautiful face back to its old glory. I became picture-shy, mirror-shy and in fact reflection-shy. It was a great lesson in patience and perseverance. My skin gradually began to peel, developing new flesh and the only thanks I could give was for my vitalizing, ebony skin J. What if I was fair skinned? (the horror!). Typically, there was a series of conflicting and sometimes hilarious information being given by all and sundry. Especially as someone who isn’t into the skill/art of make-up, my only prayer was for time to pass quickly because, as they say, time heals all wounds.

The waiting period wasn’t very palatable. I witnessed varying reactions from members of the general public, a lot of it negative, some even sported disgusted looks, also inquiring comments, advice etc. My face has improved greatly now and I have to specifically tell you about the incident before you notice any scar. I’m so glad and I take pictures at any opportunity now J. PS: forgot to mention that one of the advantages of the blaze was that every pimple on my face immediately cleared (is that vain? =D)

There were so many lessons I learnt during that time and I pray I don’t ever forget what it felt like (though its all becoming sort of a blur nowL). So despite any circumstance, pain, hurt you might be going through, just have faith that you’ll pull through because NOTHING, absolutely nothing lasts forever, no matter how bad, its just a phase and must surely pass. Remember…weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning…Psalm 30:5. Thank you! J