I admire my mother a great deal. Most times, I want to be like her. Other times, I'm like "this Iya should just give me a breathing space".
But there's one thing you can't take away from Iya Kemi, Iya Kemi is smart. She knows the perfect thing to say in all situations if she's aiming for peace.
On Sunday, we needed to attend a birthday party and in our hurry to leave home after closing late from church, Iya Kemi forgot her Driver's license.
Immediately Iya Kemi saw the Road Safety officers, she said "Ha Kemi, I've forgotten my Driver's license. God, don't let this people stop me."
Still, the officers signaled us to stop and I was left wondering what Iya Kemi would do or say. When the officer moved closer, Iya Kemi said, "Officer, happy Sunday. I don't have my driver's license with me, I left home in a hurry. I have my car papers here but no license. I don't need to lie, I know I'm an offender already."
Pleading voice and all.
"I have a party to attend and I'm running late already and they've been calling me. Please sir." She added for extra measure.
The officer asked for the car papers, checked it and asked us to leave. Just like that...This should be Nigeria now. If I had been in Iya Kemi's shoes, I would have bluffed my way through. But Iya Kemi chose sincerity and it set us free.
Made me realise that there are times bluffing isn't necessary, just be humble in your truth and a sane person would understand.