My Lockdown Story

Story By:- Akuve Omoregie, 32

Life has been pretty much normal for us, at least I had come to terms with living without my Husband. The kids had adjusted to a large extent, Daddy was no longer in the picture. My new normal saw me doing school runs, making dresses and going for rehearsals and Church services. However, one thing was sure; I always had people around me. 

Even if it was for few hours in the day or even at night, my students were around and my worker, Ofure was mostly always with me. Church availed me the opportunity to be around people at least 4 times a week.

Dealing with grief and the death of my Husband, I knew it wasn't exactly safe to be alone. Sometimes, being around people was soothing and in some way, they could truly care and make you feel a little better. 

Then, the pandemic hit Benin City, Nigeria and everyone ran into their homes for safety. Initially, it didn't feel so bad as the boys and I saw the lockdown as an avenue to bond, try things we had never tried indoors and just relax. We baked a cake together for the first time, we sang together, made videos and were cool with ourselves. It was for the very first time in a long while - just the three of us, alone. This wasn't just for a day or two but for a stretch of months.

By the second week of lockdown, I was feeling so motivated that I even started writing a book. All of a sudden, a very weird feeling of loneliness and emptiness enveloped me. I suddenly became aware of the fact that I was alone. One would think I had the boys with me, so why should I feel that way? As the 

Truth prevails,  having a 7 and 5 year old boy with you in a lockdown is more of a task than fun. The number of times I have had to settle a quarrel or beg that the house shouldn't be turned into a zoo was unanimous. And then there were times I have to tell my little boy to just allow me have a decent conversation with a friend over the phone, without having to hear the continuous recitation of, “Mummy, I want Golden morn" or “Mummy, I want biscuits?”.

I started to miss Jeff terribly. If he were alive, I'd have had an Adult to talk to, analyze the news with and play games . I felt sad and alone. All the people that I'd normally see, were on lockdown, so I started to feel suffocated. The kids and I started to take walks in the evenings, so we won't just be indoors all day and I had to think of ways to make our new normal less tormenting. Having some quiet and space to yourself truly avails one the opportunity to think. Then it hit me, I wasn't going to let this time go to waste.

When I felt high in Spirit, I wrote a chapter or two of my book. I also started to draw more, making illustrations of dresses. As a Fashion designer and illustrator, I found more time to practice. Then an amazing thing happened, I was able to get someone to set up a website for my blog and it was truly amazing. I didn't let the time go a complete waste. The kids also started home schooling and as demanding as it was, we kept at it.

The lockdown made me appreciate family, friends and memories more than I had ever done. It also made me realise that tomorrow is never guaranteed, all we are certain of -is the now that we have and stand. So, it's important to take that step now, execute that dream, tell that person how much you love them. Make beautiful memories with your family and friends, forgive, love, give and just make the best out of the time you have. The lockdown may have been tough but it came with it, real life lessons to have and hold.