A Long-Awaited Reunion
My amazing brother visited me last month, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. After 15 long years apart since I left Nigeria, seeing him alive and well filled my heart with so much joy. He’s grown taller than I am, and you can only imagine the rush of emotions I felt when I saw him standing there.
During his visit, my brother brought back a flood of memories I thought I had buried. He reminded me of our shared challenges as siblings and the countless times we hustled together as teenagers to make ends meet. Anyone who knew me back then can attest that I was always on the go, soaking up skills and experiences wherever I could.
I sold zobo and chin chin, learned how to decorate, make hats, beads, and even braid hair. My brother was just as ambitious. He had that entrepreneurial spirit and, along with his friends, created a space in our neighborhood where people could gather and play games. Those were such formative years for us.
His visit was a beautiful reminder of our struggles and the bond we formed through it all. Yes, we had our disagreements, but we were never rivals; we always lifted each other up. I want to take this moment to thank him for bringing those memories back to life. Some of them I had tried to forget because it felt easier to leave certain parts of our past behind.
While my experiences have undoubtedly shaped who I am today, there are also many lessons I’ve had to unlearn, relearn, and passionately share with others in this amazing community @parentteachervoice.
Our journey together, filled with ups and downs, continues to inspire me, reminding me that every struggle has contributed to the person I’ve become. Here’s to brotherhood, resilience, and the beautiful memories that keep us connected, no matter the distance or time apart.
