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She Needs To Know!

black women art
Image: Kirzart

 While taking my walk one of those mornings, I noticed a woman I had seen earlier, especially because of her bright purple blouse. This time though, I noticed her more not because of her blouse but the constant stare she got from everyone that walked past her.

It seemed like she either looked funny or was doing something that made them turn (back) to look at her – I was curious. So, I sort of hastened my walk a little. I got directly behind her, nothing seemed wrong from where I stood.

Her slightly body hugging purple blouse was seated right on the waist of a black boot cut denim. She had a silk multi coloured scarf tied loosely on her head. The scarf was gorgeous and had some splash of purple, yellow, black and lavender on it. It looked like those type you would rather have tied around your neck.

I moved slightly past her, and then she spoke. Not to me, to some imaginary friend in her head. I slowed down my pace, I needed to be sure of what I heard and I truly was resisting the temptation of turning to look at her – I would have been looking at her directly in the eyes unlike others.
She said with a smile (I could tell), “hey Jim, there you are. I have been looking everywhere for you”. My heart bled, not exactly because of what she said, but how she said it and oh my gosh, she spoke so well and had a soft calm voice.

I almost cried.

I turned few seconds later, when I didn’t hear her voice again. This time, she had crossed to the other side of the road, to pluck something she probably thought was a flower.
I walked faster thinking about this woman and wondering what could have happened to her and when. So many questions and pictures popped in my head. As I got to my finish point to turn back towards the direction I was initially coming from, she was right in front of me.

This time, I could see her face – not so clearly because I didn’t want to stare, but enough to know she is a beauty. I sighed and thought about all the campaigns for mental health and wellbeing and how extremely important it was for us to care about our minds – I wished she could find help. I wished I had the courage and expertise to talk her. More importantly, I hoped she had loved ones who cares for her.

Now and always, I’m sending her and many others going through trauma, depression or any form of mental illness –

Love & Light,
TA

P.s – Have you registered for the TEdxYabawomen event (tedxyaba.com)? We would be discussing at length the issues of mental health and wellness with experts from the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), Stand To End Rape (STER) and moderated by the amazing Chude Jideonwo, Founder Joy Inc.

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Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Comments

  1. UnknownSaturday, December 07, 2019

    Hmmmmm depression's, when is not control it becomes issues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TASaturday, December 07, 2019

      Very true and that's why more than ever, we all need to be very mindful of ourselves and others. Thank you so much for reading 🙂 Please feel free to share the link if you like.

      Delete

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