I really did not want to put a ‘Merry Christmas’ post up today. Number 1: I’m alone as in ALL ALONE. Usually, with a Sidney Sheldon to hand, my Bible and my laptop, I can survive alone for long. But naturally, you see people looking all excited about Christmas and then you feel like there’s something you’re missing out on. I have no family around and I hate intruding on other people’s family time because I believe Christmas is a family thing therefore, I decided not to impose myself on the friends I have here. I know they would have been more than happy to have me around but it’s not just my way.

I remember my first Christmas away from home in 2006. I spent it with this amazing family, my mom’s friends. I think I was more miserable than I would have been had I gently stayed in my accommodation in Sheffield. At around 12 midnight, they all cuddled up together to wish each other a Merry Christmas. In the morning, they began opening presents. Of course, I knew there was nothing for me there and in a way, I was grateful that they did not even try to be fake and do oju aiye so I went to the room to sleep. I woke up at about 7pm. They had loads of visitors over. I helped out smiling all the way and that was it. It was a far cry from home. They tried their best to make me happy but really, it was so hard being away from home.

Anyway, back to 2010…I went to bed at about 3 am yesterday and my plan was to sleep till 1pm-ish so that I’d just pray, have a shower and then off to Choir Practice. That way, my all alone-ness on Christmas Day would not scream out at me. After Practice, I’d just go home, cuddle up in bed with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s and watch any random new Yoruba movie or even ‘Alice My First Lady’ for the 4th time on YouTube, sleep off and then voila, the day would be over! But as you can predict, that was not to be. I was up by past 10am. I looked at my BB and there were loads of messages wishing me a Merry Christmas. I was feeling uber grumpy so I proceeded to ignore the forwarded ones (purplish font) and replied a brief ‘Merry Christmas’ to the personalised ones.

A friend put up pictures of all the cooking they were doing in her house on Facebook. Another droned on and on about stuffing a turkey. Each post got me even more depressed. I then went on Youtube, searched for Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M and that even made me feel worse as it reminded me of being home with my brothers and parents watching NTA  2 Channel 5! I called my family, wished them the Merry Christmas I was in no way feeling. My lacrimal glands were on over drive. I was so down!

It was then I thought to myself: Temi, what are you doing? You are falling for the enemies’ ploy! So what you’re all alone?! At least it is because you chose to be not because you were locked away in prison or on a hospital bed or something. If you badly need to be with someone, you have people you can call on. You chose to lock yourself in a flat all by yourself so please, snap out of it! That little admonition helped…greatly.

I got out my Bible and the first passage it opened itself to was so encouraging. I prayed and then did what ALWAYS cheers me up: I listened to a particular song on YouTube. It has never for once failed to put a smile on my face, however small. Today was no different. Despite the funny side to it, it always lifts my spirit because the message is sooo true and so pure. From that clip, others were suggested to me and within a few minutes, I was dancing and praising God for life and for my family.

All smiles now 🙂

I’m happy I didn’t give in to the voice of the enemy who wanted me to keep me being sorry for myself and crying all day that I’m not with my family. I’m happy I found myself again despite waking up feeling like rubbish and I am happy that I can genuinely wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS without simply trying to fulfil all righteousness which would have been the case had I done this 4 hours ago.

It's all about Jesus!

Merry Christmas to you all!!! May God bless you in all your ways. May goodness and mercy never elude you. May God’s love surround you and your loved ones. You shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord in the land of the living. In happiness you shall go out and come back. No evil shall come near you. You will have enough to give out. You are a lender and not a borrower. God bless you so much guys! I really appreciate everyone of you.

And yea, you did not think I’d leave without sharing that song and the others with you, did ya? Here we go…

The ever uplifting song:

This one always brings joy to my heart:

I discovered this one today:

Yea, I’m sure by now you know I have a thing for the Igbo language and culture. There’s just something about it…

*Off to get ready for Choir Practice* Have a lovely day!

That’s all folks (for now)

Temiville.xoxo