At times, you need to stop everything you are doing to sit alone and mend your broken wings.

Cold evening and a to-do list

I sit outside on a cold evening. There’s a community of crickets chirping through the grassland. A gust of wind brushes my face, causing my helpless lamp to sway back and forth. The crickets, like me, must be pondering the weather changes. Just earlier today, it was hot at noon. Strong winds blew hot air, and it has been two weeks since the last rain. Everything is dry now. The mud on the once-flooded road is cracked, revealing debris. I overheard an older man say that the harmattan will come a little earlier this year. To me, it feels too soon to predict. Maybe the earth is recovering after all, I think.

The year is almost over, and it feels far spent. Memories of New Year’s Eve are still fresh in my mind. I remember wishing to start my graduate studies and to support friends and relatives with their efforts. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit, canceling or postponing most plans. Despite that, I’ve achieved notable success in some areas. But the year is not over yet. About relationships, I’ve learned many things (about dating). Sometimes, just thinking about it scares me to the core. I’m not an expert in dating; in fact, I’m not involved in one right now. I’ve watched close friends try, and managing someone’s emotions can be a huge task. Toxic people and relationships can drain the life out of others—I’ve seen it happen. Still, I believe many connections can bring positive change.