THANKFUL (yet another year)

I have always said I hate the attention that comes with birthdays. I used to see birthdays as just another day, or a day to remind you that you are growing older and getting your shoulders burdened with more responsibilities. What fun could that be really?

My plan was to stay low. I even joked about calling in sick at work today, but after all I experienced over the weekend I have come to realize there's really something to be thankful and celebrated about every birthday.

Mid-day on Friday I began feeling pain and a bit feverish. I knew the familiar symptoms. My immune system was going down slowly.  At first, I was forming it's a thing of the mind, but by Saturday evening I knew for sure it was all about Faith. I took Panadol Friday night just so I don’t take chances, in that I didn’t take any drug.

Saturday morning I woke up feeling better. Did my chores and headed out for Enoma’s wedding. I got to see some old pals I haven’t seen for a while now. All was fine till I got home and the pains started coming back.

This time I didn’t need anyone to advise me to start my dosage. I had two packs of drugs I bought at different intervals this year. The thinking was that the one I bought recently would be better. I took the four tablets and went to bed. I woke up 4am to take the next dose but something prompted me to check the expiring date as I wasn’t feeling any better. That was then I realized I had taken expired drugs!

Luckily the other pack wasn’t expired so I started on it. Sunday morning I was worse off. I told myself I wasn’t going to miss church as we had prayer service I had been looking forward to all week. I managed to drive there thinking from there I’d meet up with my family in town for Harvest at the family church. By 9:30am I left church as I was feeling both feverish and cold and a bit weak. I drove slowly, got home and barely walked in, best to say I staggered into the house.

The way I felt, terrible! I tried walking to my room to get the drugs, I felt light headed, dizzy, and my sight became blurry. I knew I was going to faint. I managed to reach for my bed and collapsed on it. I just lay there practically lifeless. I just lay staring at the ceiling. You know how when you watch movies and you are thinking why can’t they just manage to move a bit before the bad guy gets them right? No power! I could only move in my mind, physically I was comatose.

All I could do was pray silently.

By afternoon I woke up sweating profusely, didn’t know when I yanked off the socks, cardigan, jean trouser and inner shirt I was wearing felt stronger but a lil sore. I got up, ate and drifted back to sleep. I continued drifting in and out of sleep till evening, with each wakening I felt better.

They say our words have power, and I’d be inclined to think my joke of calling in sick almost became a reality but I do know for sure that nothing happens to me without God's permission. It was all His way of showing me the importance of why I need to appreciate my birthday and not just the date but most importantly being in good health also.

I’m writing this from my office desk, in perfect health. I have been so shy all morning from all the birthday wishes from my colleagues, phone calls from friends and sms. I have been quiet since typing, a colleague came by and said “Sayi, you can’t be quiet today o, you are not a quiet person so just start to shake body” lol

Basically, this weekend has been a learning process for me. Sometimes we need to go through stuff to appreciate what God has been doing for us. Those little things we take for granted….

This song, Thank you by the Katinas sums up all I feel –

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord, just for loving me, alright
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me

You are there when I am down and out, You're holding me
Your love is so amazing, oh it changed me

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on, alright
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
Amazing grace, it's more than just a song

Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I wanna say thank You for the sun
Lord we thank You for the rain

Oh Lord I love You
Thank You, that's all that I can say
Thank You for the love You gave

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You, thank You
I wanna say thank You, thank You
I wanna say thank You