WHERE IS EXTENDED FAMILY?
In the early hours of this morning, one of my Sons, Abdul.., walked up to me and said " Daddy I have a very important request; Can you please build a very big house, where my cousins, my grand ma, my auties and everybody will come and live with us? I want all of us to be living together. Daddy, this is my greatest wish in life. If you can do this for me, I will be the happiest person in the world"
That got me thinking because this was the same kind of mind we had while growing up. We grew up loving to see people. Nothing gave us joy like seeing others around. Our parents had little or nothing, but our glow, strength and wealth was in relationships, especially families. The joy of holidays and celebrations still vibrate in my heart.
We usually lose sleep to happiness during such seasons because, friends and relatives will be coming home. It was such a delight to see siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunties, grannies, etc.
We shared everything in common. We ate from the same plates, shared the same cups, bathed together, slept on the same mats, and even covered with the same clothes at night. We accompanied each other everywhere, including the toilet. One's fight was everyone's fight. One's victory was everyone's victory..
Sadly, as we began to grow up, we began to grow apart. We began to raise fences over our once unfenced houses to imprison ourselves, thinking we were shutting others out. Class, complex, offense, I am busy, don't disturb me, we are not that related, etc, began to set in. Now we've made enemies out of one's neigbours, foes out of families, foreigners out of friends, and witches out of the ones we once considered our true riches. It is now pleasurable to demonise each other behind each other. The children of yesterdays who kept vigil over the joy of seeing each other, are now adults and they don't want to see each other. With everybody ignoring everybody; Forming busy and feeling over important. Gradually we allowed satan take over our hearts. Family members now keep malice for years over minor or none issues. We have become total strangers to each other as though we did not grow up within the same streets and districts. Bad enough, the elderly ones who should call and chair family meetings from time to time so as to strengthen family bonds, prefers to rather sit and watch, or even help fan the evil fire of disunity, by joining the camp they are benefiting from. bohemian styled items to wear of the wedding
I thought when people know God better, they are to behave better. But the case of our generation is different. Once children now adults, go to places of worship more, and claim to know GOD better. But our behaviours and characters are not getting better. We have titles on our necks, with no love in our hearts. Looking so spiritual but acting so stupid. Unforgiveness, anger, envy, 'biffing', hatred, selfishness and the likes, are the fruits we exude everywhere we go.
The question is, where is the love? Where is the kindness? How did we get here. Where did we lose grip of what is most important and picked up what is of no importance. How have we become adults and less humans. Who has bewitched us?
Its time to go back to our childhood. Its time to love, care and look out for each other as families should.
We must wake up and realise that, we are stronger together, better together and will achieve more together. We will be healthier, live longer, and leave better memories with each other, when we come together.
If and when God ask us:
Where is thy brother
I hope that you will have a re-think.