As I grow, I respect my parents more and more. I wonder how they managed to find laughter while nurturing all kids in Nigeria. How they nudged us to long term choices. How they were able to provide all essentials with their earnings.
As I meet more people I become more thankful for my parents. I always thought other families had it better, but I was so wrong. They just had better cosmetics.
Today I recall 3 advice they repeatedly mentioned:
1. “Before you cross the road, look left, look right, look left again and if clear, walk across briskly.”
This applies to every major decision I make, I always look left again. I now call it the second look.
2. “In all things, give thanks and smile.”
There is always something to be thankful for and if you think there’s none, smile, and be thankful for that smile.
3. “A good name is better than gold.”
Integrity meant much more to them than anything. It is what inclines my decision making to the long term. Lost gold can be recovered and made even better, but a lost good name is gone forever.
Thanks Mum. Thanks Dad.
– Osasu Oviawe
