Tomorrow's Blessing is in Today's Challenge

I was well over 20 years of age when I received the news that my mother was pregnant with our last born. At the time, my oldest sister was also expecting her 3rd child and was well along.

The minute people found out, tongues began wagging and chastising my mother for getting pregnant again after so many years and it became embarrassing. I could no longer stand the whispers that followed our every step, and I decided to confront my mother about it.

I sat her down and complained about what everyone had said and told her that she ought to have been smarter than getting pregnant at such an old age. My mother asked me what she thought she should do and of course I went silent because there was no correct answer to that question. So, I held my peace as we all did until the child was born.

When my sister came into the world, she was so fair skinned and beautiful. She looked a lot like my paternal grandmother ‘Oretipe’ the musician who was so fair skilled, with a silky and luxurious mane of hair that made her seem half-Caucasian. The baby was beautiful to look at and what stunned me about her was how my mother would wrap her in layers of clothes and wear socks for her any time the weather would turn cold.

As a result of this, I had a front row seat into proper childcare and before you knew it, I had taken this baby under my wings, and I took joy in watching her grow. I never again thought about my first reaction to the news of her conception and what people had said - at least, not until one day, about 13 years after her birth.

I saw her tall form lying down sleeping and I finally remembered my hurtful words to my mom. I remember that I finally said a prayer to God, “Lord, watch this child for her mother.” Not long after, I took charge of her from my mother and brought her to live with me and my husband. In the end, it seemed after all that though my mother may have given birth to her, my sister was God’s gift to me. A first child of sorts.

Omobolanle became a part of my home, and she was a big sister to my children. At certain points, it even felt like we had a merged family. It was a joy to watch her grow and become a mother herself. Through many dark days, her face was one of God’s gifts to me because she stood by me even when everyone else disappeared during those tough years.

The lesson was this, “God hides tomorrow’s gifts in Today’s difficulties.”