In Nigeria, it is my birthday already.
The folks who are awake are scribbling on my wall already. I always say i don't like birthdays. That is not true. I love them; I just don't like the fact that I am older. This is the first birthday I am spending outside my country. People ask me all the time if i miss home. I wonder why they bother.
Surely it must show in my smile or my forced American English or in the fact that I balk at the cuisine here or the fact that my real laughter echoes only when i am on the phone to Nigeria.
I recognize my country is plagued by numerous problems. Like me, it is far from perfect. Like me it suffers from its own handiwork and mistakes. Like me, it is unsure of what next.
Like me, my country is hopeful. We both know we have no other place to go but up. My last birthday, i toasted to a future in a new country. This birthday, i look back and embrace my Nigerianess with all my heart.
For all of you that have left your countries behind and think it is over, i have news for you. Some identities you can never leave behind.
So this birthday, I celebrate my identity. I am more than just a color, more than just a gender, more than just a statistic. I am Kiah, I am ever so proudly Nigerian (even if Hilary Clinton refuses to acknowledge we exist), I am a Lagosian, I am a year older and I can't stop smiling.
Song of the day: Darey ft Flavour - Sisi Eko.
The folks who are awake are scribbling on my wall already. I always say i don't like birthdays. That is not true. I love them; I just don't like the fact that I am older. This is the first birthday I am spending outside my country. People ask me all the time if i miss home. I wonder why they bother.
Surely it must show in my smile or my forced American English or in the fact that I balk at the cuisine here or the fact that my real laughter echoes only when i am on the phone to Nigeria.
I recognize my country is plagued by numerous problems. Like me, it is far from perfect. Like me it suffers from its own handiwork and mistakes. Like me, it is unsure of what next.
Like me, my country is hopeful. We both know we have no other place to go but up. My last birthday, i toasted to a future in a new country. This birthday, i look back and embrace my Nigerianess with all my heart.
For all of you that have left your countries behind and think it is over, i have news for you. Some identities you can never leave behind.
So this birthday, I celebrate my identity. I am more than just a color, more than just a gender, more than just a statistic. I am Kiah, I am ever so proudly Nigerian (even if Hilary Clinton refuses to acknowledge we exist), I am a Lagosian, I am a year older and I can't stop smiling.
Song of the day: Darey ft Flavour - Sisi Eko.
Yay to August kiddos.. Have.Fun.be.Happy.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday kiah. Much love!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Kiah.... the fear of aging is common. i myself keep thinking im just 21 when i damn sure know im not.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Babes! God knows I don't look forward to my birth Month anymore. LOL
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday. I love the way you write about Nigeria, who we are is irrevocably linked to where we're from.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Kiah! I know I m way late but its the thought that counts I hear. God bless you my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, I hope you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, hope you had fun...God bless and yes, we are proudly Nigerian.
ReplyDeleteawww....thanks everyone...i did have an amazing day.better than i could have ever planned. :)
ReplyDeleteI am also a lastman o, happy belated birthday dear wishing u the best life has to offer...God bless U xoxo
ReplyDelete