Saturday, December 30, 2017
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Freedom is in the Mind: THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINING MARRIAGE
Freedom is in the Mind: THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINING MARRIAGE: "Once upon a time, young people had the privilege of just relaxing and waiting for their families to choose their marriage partners for them...."
Friday, April 1, 2011
FAILURE OF A VICTORY
“Liam, get up! It is 6:30 already!” Leannes’s voice rang out as she shook her brother so violently she could almost fact his bones rattle.
Liam sprang out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Within fifteen minutes, he came out and rushed to get dressed for lectures. Without, he left the house only to meet the “rush hour” in full progress. There was traffic everywhere. He heaved a huge sigh and slumped back in the backseat of the taxi as he read Ben Carson’s “Gifted Hands”. He was really getting some motivation that morning.
Right after lectures, he looked for his friends, Jacob and Manuel. It was then he received a text message from the president of the Debate Club. There was an urgent meeting. He wondered what came up.
There was a debate competition with a juicy prize up for grabs. Liam was a standby debater but not one the club could do without. He joined his twin sister, Leeanne who was already seated Leeanne was a gifted writer who he admired and adored. She was just the best sister alive to him.
“Hey sis, when did you get here?” He put an arm around her neck. “An hour ago.” She replied and learned back to reading. A law student, she was always reading. He found himself picking up that habit. It was good anyway.
They discussed the pending debate and gathered as many points as they could. It was decided that they met the following day to choose the speakers.
After lecturers the following day, the group met and chose their speakers. One of them was the reigning King of Eloquence by virtue of his performance at the previous years debate competition which placed their club second best in the nation. Liam was not one of the speakers that but was ever ready as always to help the speakers.
Five days after, of of the speakers fell sick. As the d-day loomed near, the club could not risk waiting on him to make a full recovery. Liam was elected to take his place. His joy knew no bounds. This wash his chance. He was giving to prove to everybody his ability. He would never be relegated to the background anymore because he had the confidence and had trained for very long for this chance Leeanne read her brother and was all smiles while she encouraged him on.
Liam worked hard. Having to balance studies and practice. Leeanne served him and worshipped him. He did not have time for her or his friends or family. That was to show how he was bent on taking the club forward.
Day by day he perfected the art of debating. He played tapes and CDs and practiced real hard. He was a real epitome of determination.
His university’s club was in a kind of rivalry with another and he was bent on claiming the first little at all cost! At all cost!
Everyone saw little of Liam. He needed success. That day, everyone got crowded in the great hall of a neutral university. It was the grand finale of the debate competition. Having led his club through the preliminaries, Liam came face to face with his club’s long time rival. Defending champions.
All too soon the fierce debate which got Liam sweating was over. He cringed. What had he done? He wished Leeanne was there with him. He hoped Jacob and Manuel were there he completely forgot of the appointment he had with his friends. They needed to catch up on some topic they both missed and he promised them but the debate got in his way. He did not even inform Leeanne that morning when he was leaving. He had not seen her for days.
His name was mentioned. The Best Debate! He made the sign of the cross and thanked God. S he was no disappointment after all. But did his club? As it turned out, Liam led them to victory. He stood in awe, as the crowed cheered wildly. So it paid off. He jubilated with them and searched for his sister and friends minutes after he remembered he should.
But Leeanne sweet face could not be seen nor could Jacob and Manuel’s hoarse jokes be heard. Liam was lonely.
In the midst of the crowed Liam was lonely. Little did he know that Leeanne was sick that morning though she forced herself to prepare his breakfast. He had not shown his gratitude to her for all the times she served him and urged him on. Nor did he realize his friends felt stupid following a brilliant guy and aimless walking with “Mr. Busy”. Liam went to the restroom, looked himself in the mirror and shed tears.
He won. A very big victory it was but he failed because he neglected he important factors that made the victory. He ran up to the top not stopping or taking his time. Man, you could get lonely up there sometimes. Especially when you focus on just yourself.
Liam sprang out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Within fifteen minutes, he came out and rushed to get dressed for lectures. Without, he left the house only to meet the “rush hour” in full progress. There was traffic everywhere. He heaved a huge sigh and slumped back in the backseat of the taxi as he read Ben Carson’s “Gifted Hands”. He was really getting some motivation that morning.
Right after lectures, he looked for his friends, Jacob and Manuel. It was then he received a text message from the president of the Debate Club. There was an urgent meeting. He wondered what came up.
There was a debate competition with a juicy prize up for grabs. Liam was a standby debater but not one the club could do without. He joined his twin sister, Leeanne who was already seated Leeanne was a gifted writer who he admired and adored. She was just the best sister alive to him.
“Hey sis, when did you get here?” He put an arm around her neck. “An hour ago.” She replied and learned back to reading. A law student, she was always reading. He found himself picking up that habit. It was good anyway.
They discussed the pending debate and gathered as many points as they could. It was decided that they met the following day to choose the speakers.
After lecturers the following day, the group met and chose their speakers. One of them was the reigning King of Eloquence by virtue of his performance at the previous years debate competition which placed their club second best in the nation. Liam was not one of the speakers that but was ever ready as always to help the speakers.
Five days after, of of the speakers fell sick. As the d-day loomed near, the club could not risk waiting on him to make a full recovery. Liam was elected to take his place. His joy knew no bounds. This wash his chance. He was giving to prove to everybody his ability. He would never be relegated to the background anymore because he had the confidence and had trained for very long for this chance Leeanne read her brother and was all smiles while she encouraged him on.
Liam worked hard. Having to balance studies and practice. Leeanne served him and worshipped him. He did not have time for her or his friends or family. That was to show how he was bent on taking the club forward.
Day by day he perfected the art of debating. He played tapes and CDs and practiced real hard. He was a real epitome of determination.
His university’s club was in a kind of rivalry with another and he was bent on claiming the first little at all cost! At all cost!
Everyone saw little of Liam. He needed success. That day, everyone got crowded in the great hall of a neutral university. It was the grand finale of the debate competition. Having led his club through the preliminaries, Liam came face to face with his club’s long time rival. Defending champions.
All too soon the fierce debate which got Liam sweating was over. He cringed. What had he done? He wished Leeanne was there with him. He hoped Jacob and Manuel were there he completely forgot of the appointment he had with his friends. They needed to catch up on some topic they both missed and he promised them but the debate got in his way. He did not even inform Leeanne that morning when he was leaving. He had not seen her for days.
His name was mentioned. The Best Debate! He made the sign of the cross and thanked God. S he was no disappointment after all. But did his club? As it turned out, Liam led them to victory. He stood in awe, as the crowed cheered wildly. So it paid off. He jubilated with them and searched for his sister and friends minutes after he remembered he should.
But Leeanne sweet face could not be seen nor could Jacob and Manuel’s hoarse jokes be heard. Liam was lonely.
In the midst of the crowed Liam was lonely. Little did he know that Leeanne was sick that morning though she forced herself to prepare his breakfast. He had not shown his gratitude to her for all the times she served him and urged him on. Nor did he realize his friends felt stupid following a brilliant guy and aimless walking with “Mr. Busy”. Liam went to the restroom, looked himself in the mirror and shed tears.
He won. A very big victory it was but he failed because he neglected he important factors that made the victory. He ran up to the top not stopping or taking his time. Man, you could get lonely up there sometimes. Especially when you focus on just yourself.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
HONOURING A HEROINE
Trina was just like any girl not just “just like any other” but she appeared ordinary. Going to senior high school, going out to church, had friends, had fun just like any other. She had dreams, hopes and aspirations. Trina was no perfect but was human too. Trina was eighteen years and in one of the High Schools in Ghana.
“Hi girl, what’s up?” Karen walked up to her friend who was looking intently on the field. “I dey. The sun is just too scorching and you left me alone to chat with your guys.” Trina complained. Karen laughed so like her friend.
“They are not my guys. They are my friends. Let’s go and meet them.” Karen did not hesitate but pulled Trina by the hand behind her to where her friends were sitting. They were at the stadium.
Trina did not like the way the guys were dressed nor how rowdy they behaved. Karen seemed to fit in perfectly with them. In no time, Trina got herself lost and found herself alone. That was Karen for you.
Her friend loved fun of any sort. She did not mind the company she kept as long as she had fun. People in school labeled her bad girl because she sometimes clubbed. Trina did not mind labeling her as such. Karen loved to date guys. And dated she had. A lot of them for that matter. Trina hated that and yet … Karen was the best friend she had ever known. Oh, so much irony. Did they not say opposite attract?
Trina knows Karens’ parents were abroad. She even had the opportunity to speak to them on phone sometimes. Karen loved anything that was family. She adored her elder siblings, Kobby and Kate. She loved Aunt Mayah, her guardian and her cousins. But her promiscuous and careless lifestyle painted her black out rightly.
In the final year in school, Karen had some visitors in school who accused her of playing a part in a scam where a man was swindled of almost Gh¢200,000.00! Everyone knew Karen to be bad but to that point? No one ever thought possible.
Karen was arrested. She slept in cells. Trina wept her eyes out. She could not believe it. Karen remained silent, never saying a word but casting glances at the back of the crowd as if silently communicating with someone while continuously looking at Trina. Trina could read assurance in her eye but was puzzled. How could anyone be so calm when prison cells gaped at you?
Karen was put on bail two days after. She rushed to school to see Trina and spoke to another guy and left just like that.
That night, there was a fierce shoot out in town between two notorious gangs of armed rubbers. Eight people were shot dead and most of the rubbers were apprehended by the police. To the surprise of many, these “wise” people were young guys who had only one girl in their midst. She got connections in town and hinted them on who to rob. Young people who had bright future ahead.
Trina woke-up the following day and remembered her friend was no longer with her. Pain stabbed through her heart and silence fell upon her like a blanket. She hated every pinch of pity she got from her school friends. She had two much to endure. She could hear Karen’s laughter, her voice, she could almost see her. She had to be hallucinating.
Four weeks after, the guys who swindled the man of his money were arrested with the accomplices, two young girls. Trina did not want to follow the story any longer. Knowing fully well Karen was one of them.
But she was not. Lloyd is the guys Karen spoke to weeks back when she came visiting, his father was almost in a state of bankruptcy and needed money urgently to keep his business going or the family would soon stink with poverty. Karen noticed how he sulked and got closer to him. Lloyd then related his problem to her. Having rich family friends, Karen got one of them to give Lloyd’s father a loan which was swindled by some guys. Karen had to pose as one of the culprits in order to make her own investigations on her suspects. On the night of the shooting, she had taken a well rewarded tape of their activities to the police after she befriended one of them. On her way back to her house, she was shot dead! For the sake of a family in need, Lloyd’s family.
This was what the police had gathered when they came to the school. It was then Trina realized the fate of Karen. Students realized their prejudice. Teachers discovered their ignorance. Aunt Mayah, Kobby and Kate got to know of a funeral but Trina felt her loss. Karen was bad. But she put her life on the line for a family. She had love in her heart.
Her family gave up on her. They know her to be a bad girl. They almost did not care though they accepted her. But she loved her them.
Students held candles. All wore black. Trina wore white. Her eyes were swollen. She alone understood the girl they were burying. Karen was resting from the world which spited her.
As the sun set and shone its golden rays on her tombstone, Trina smiled through her tears and looked at the bible in her hand. Karen held it before she dies. She gave herself to Christ.
“Hi girl, what’s up?” Karen walked up to her friend who was looking intently on the field. “I dey. The sun is just too scorching and you left me alone to chat with your guys.” Trina complained. Karen laughed so like her friend.
“They are not my guys. They are my friends. Let’s go and meet them.” Karen did not hesitate but pulled Trina by the hand behind her to where her friends were sitting. They were at the stadium.
Trina did not like the way the guys were dressed nor how rowdy they behaved. Karen seemed to fit in perfectly with them. In no time, Trina got herself lost and found herself alone. That was Karen for you.
Her friend loved fun of any sort. She did not mind the company she kept as long as she had fun. People in school labeled her bad girl because she sometimes clubbed. Trina did not mind labeling her as such. Karen loved to date guys. And dated she had. A lot of them for that matter. Trina hated that and yet … Karen was the best friend she had ever known. Oh, so much irony. Did they not say opposite attract?
Trina knows Karens’ parents were abroad. She even had the opportunity to speak to them on phone sometimes. Karen loved anything that was family. She adored her elder siblings, Kobby and Kate. She loved Aunt Mayah, her guardian and her cousins. But her promiscuous and careless lifestyle painted her black out rightly.
In the final year in school, Karen had some visitors in school who accused her of playing a part in a scam where a man was swindled of almost Gh¢200,000.00! Everyone knew Karen to be bad but to that point? No one ever thought possible.
Karen was arrested. She slept in cells. Trina wept her eyes out. She could not believe it. Karen remained silent, never saying a word but casting glances at the back of the crowd as if silently communicating with someone while continuously looking at Trina. Trina could read assurance in her eye but was puzzled. How could anyone be so calm when prison cells gaped at you?
Karen was put on bail two days after. She rushed to school to see Trina and spoke to another guy and left just like that.
That night, there was a fierce shoot out in town between two notorious gangs of armed rubbers. Eight people were shot dead and most of the rubbers were apprehended by the police. To the surprise of many, these “wise” people were young guys who had only one girl in their midst. She got connections in town and hinted them on who to rob. Young people who had bright future ahead.
Trina woke-up the following day and remembered her friend was no longer with her. Pain stabbed through her heart and silence fell upon her like a blanket. She hated every pinch of pity she got from her school friends. She had two much to endure. She could hear Karen’s laughter, her voice, she could almost see her. She had to be hallucinating.
Four weeks after, the guys who swindled the man of his money were arrested with the accomplices, two young girls. Trina did not want to follow the story any longer. Knowing fully well Karen was one of them.
But she was not. Lloyd is the guys Karen spoke to weeks back when she came visiting, his father was almost in a state of bankruptcy and needed money urgently to keep his business going or the family would soon stink with poverty. Karen noticed how he sulked and got closer to him. Lloyd then related his problem to her. Having rich family friends, Karen got one of them to give Lloyd’s father a loan which was swindled by some guys. Karen had to pose as one of the culprits in order to make her own investigations on her suspects. On the night of the shooting, she had taken a well rewarded tape of their activities to the police after she befriended one of them. On her way back to her house, she was shot dead! For the sake of a family in need, Lloyd’s family.
This was what the police had gathered when they came to the school. It was then Trina realized the fate of Karen. Students realized their prejudice. Teachers discovered their ignorance. Aunt Mayah, Kobby and Kate got to know of a funeral but Trina felt her loss. Karen was bad. But she put her life on the line for a family. She had love in her heart.
Her family gave up on her. They know her to be a bad girl. They almost did not care though they accepted her. But she loved her them.
Students held candles. All wore black. Trina wore white. Her eyes were swollen. She alone understood the girl they were burying. Karen was resting from the world which spited her.
As the sun set and shone its golden rays on her tombstone, Trina smiled through her tears and looked at the bible in her hand. Karen held it before she dies. She gave herself to Christ.
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