The Uncertain Favourite

A tap on the back wakes 18 year old, Sally. Come and fix my tea, she hears. Oooooooh! She tosses lazily and goes back to sleep. A slap on her back immediately brings her back to consciousness and she jumps off the bed. No one tells her what she's expected to do, as the slap re-echoes the previous command which had been issued.

She frowns and stomps her feet repeatedly, murmuring and grumbling as she puts water on the gas cooker, then spreads some butter on 2 slices of bread and puts in a plate. "Isn't it ready yet, what is taking you so long?" comes daddy's voice again. She pours the hot water into daddy's tea cup and prepares tea for him. She rushes out to the sitting room with the tray of food and serves him.

"Thank you my sweet girl. Sit and type a text for me," daddy says. She gently takes a seat beside her dad and sends some texts to his friends. The house is very quiet as everyone else has gone to sleep. "How did today go?" daddy asks. They both talk about all that took place in their lives that day, laughing and sympathizing with each other where necessary. It's clear that they're great friends. "Excuse me dad! Let me put water on fire for your bath," she springs up like a little girl (which she still is to daddy) and rushes to the kitchen.

It's dawn already, a new day has come. Sally knocks on daddy's door and is let in. "Good morning Daddy. Please, i need the 5,000 naira i told you of last week. I'm about to leave for school." Daddy shrugs and sighs "I don't have that money at the moment. Please, give it time and i'll make sure i give it to you. You know the situation of things at work. Don't worry about anything, i still have you in mind," he says. Meanwhile, the previous week, Samantha (Sally's sister) had returned to school despite daddy's pleas that he had no money. She pestered and disturbed daddy till he had no other choice but give her as much money as she needed. To crown it all, she had called home about six days after to request for more money which was given to her as well. "So, why is my case different?" Sally wondered.

Like Sally, there's this special child in every home, every family. They possess great qualities; humble, caring, understanding, obedient, tolerant, courageous, prudent, diligent, a source of comfort, great listeners and companions, confidants, responsible, mature, able to make sacrifices, compassionate and so much more. These are their positive values, but that doesn't make them perfect because they have their flaws as individuals. For Sally, it's the complaints and murmurs which is hidden from her daddy.

They are at the receiving end of both negative and positive outcomes as they are constantly reminded that there's no favourite and mummy and daddy loves everyone equally, until they start being sidelined simply because they can 'understand' and are made to run more errands just because they are trusted to deliver appropriately. These favourites know so much about their parents because they discuss and spend more time together than any other child. The spectacular thing about these special children is that they're sometimes taken for granted by these people who appreciate them so much. Their parents appreciate them to a fault mostly because they know how to suffer in silence due to the compassion they feel. They are used to watching out for their siblings, trying to create a level ground for everyone to operate, stay happy and live peacefully, despite the inconveniences on their part. Daddy and Mummy miss them so much whenever they aren't home and can't help but confess that they are greatly missed and should come home whenever there's the slightest opportunity.

Do you fit into this category? Does this article remind you of yourself? Then do not despair or change from who you are. They're your family no matter what and they love you, even though you think differently sometimes. You bring so much strength and comfort to your parents and family. Like it or not, they draw strength from your presence. You never can tell the impact you have on them. Put in so much to please them and discard of the complaints and murmurs. Rather, do everything joyfully as unto the LORD. You would feel a certain joy to know that they appreciate your efforts and need you.

P.S. Cheers to all ye special and uncertain favourites out there!!! You're great!!!