This post is written as a response to the question: "Who was your role model growing up?" Prompted by the Ladies of Hive community which the contest post can be found here
I can remember when I was very young, I have always admired one of my daddy's aunts, the last born specifically. She was the only person I saw at that time who was someone who wanted to be the best; even though she had gotten married then, her spirit for excellence was what inspired me.
I also could remember how Daddy would take my siblings and me to visit her in Lagos where she lived in an expensive apartment in an estate meant for the rich because yes, that is what I could call it then or what would you call someone paying an annual rent of over close to 2 million naira and still enrolled her kids in the best private schools? Of course, one, who is wealthy.
She was my role model and inspiration then, and still is now, though I added someone else to the list later on. But let's move on with my aunt.
Her story ignited the spirit in me through another aunt who is her older sister, and when she told those stories, I couldn't but want to grow up that moment and achieve all she had, but you know, it takes a step and then slowly.
My aunt has been my role model and one I never wanted to disappoint. Even when I was a stubborn and unconcerned girl, her story kept coming to my mind, which would reset the button in my head and then would behave goodly and yes, this kept me going.
One thing then was that I was always afraid of her, especially when my dad would report my bad behaviour and attitude to her, and she would be harsh at me, which I know was out of love for me and wanting the best for my life.
Whenever we visited her home, it was as if I shouldn't leave because I enjoyed her company and the things she did. There was a time I was in her kitchen, as at then, my immediate younger sister was living with them, and while in the kitchen, I would glance through every item and mutter, "I will become rich someday like my aunt."
Her way of disciplining and correcting was second to none and no doubt, she wanted us to live the best of life ever while achieving our dreams.
According to her older sister, who narrated her story to me, she was someone who had focus and knew what she wanted. At a young age after her service, she got employed in a bank, got transferred to another city and state, and was promoted after some years to one of the managers in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) before she resigned after realizing that she was being drifted apart from her kids due to not having time for them. She chose her family before she then moved to the US where her stories and accomplishments have been my inspiration till today.
My aunt is someone who would always wish you well and will not stop you from doing your best, especially when she knows it's something worth going for, but she wouldn't hesitate to let you know where you are failing. The day I sent her pictures of when I finally completed my one-year National Youth Service, she texted back and said, "Busayo, I'm proud of you," I was so overwhelmed with excitement because I could see it was something she ever wanted for me - to graduate and serve my father's land especially when the family thought I wouldn't be serious and committed.
Her life is an inspiration and motivation to me. I want to keep making her proud, and I, on the other hand, will make sure to stand by her words of encouragement and teachings over the years to me and my siblings.
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