Reflections of Peace

A dedication to all those who are going through a hard time, yet they have been deprived of peace to get through it successfully.

Peace was when I got widowed and you held me close, mourned with me, and showed me that it was not over. You didn’t throw me out,you didn't try taking over his properties rather, you checked on the kids and me to ensure we don’t feel the absence of your son and your brother. You genuinely loved us, even in his absence; you never let us feel worthless or like outsiders. You supported us even more.

Peace was when I got sick; you didn’t neglect me, you showed up even when you were straining. You never made me feel like a burden. You reassured me that I would be okay even when there were money problems to speed up the procedures. You made me smile with an assurance of love. You never let me feel the pain alone; you walked through the darkness with me.

Peace was when you let me keep the pregnancy, not because your reputation was not at stake, but because you knew the importance of life. That was not what you expected of me, but you held me closer, forgave my mistakes, and walked the journey with me. You accepted me while the rest rejected and judged me for my early pregnancy.

Peace was when I got orphaned, and you took me in like your own child. You didn’t remind me of the absence of my parents or the burden I had become; rather, you made me feel at home, trained me through school, fed and clothed me without complaining or making me slave for it. When I made mistakes, you collected me with love without mentioning how my parents had raised an ill-mannered child. You became my home.

Peace was when you saw me through school without having me work for you, without constantly reminding me how incapable my parents were and how they had failed in siring kids they couldn’t raise smoothly. You reminded me of how worthy I was to get a good education that could change my life completely. You reassured me that poverty is just a phase that can be changed with great work and success.

Peace was when I got violated, and you held my hands without being judgmental, you didn’t ridicule me, rather you held me closer to ensure I got therapy, medical attention, and counseling to get my mental health back. You also went to war with me, fighting for my justice even when everyone thought I was undeserving of it. You never saw me as a lesser person; you grew with me past my predicaments.

Peace was when I couldn't sire babies, yet you didn’t remind me how threatened your family continuity was. You held me close, cried with me, and walked with me through the season of hardship. You understood it was not just about your lineage by caring about me. You reminded me that God would bless us at his own time, even when there was no guarantee medically. You defended me against the humiliation and ridicule by your people, and you made them respect me as your wife and not the baby-making machine they intended me to be.

Peace was when you didn’t blame me for a failed marriage. You hugged me hard and reminded me that I wasn’t wrong for choosing my sanity to grow myself and my kids. You didn’t ridicule, you didn’t judge me, you walked with me through the abuses, you stood up for me like a child who needed to be nestled for security.

Peace was when you applauded me for raising my kids well and not regarding me as the single mother I am. You didn’t measure my worth and capabilities based on the fact that I was unmarried or that I can’t keep a man as many assume. You reminded the society that I was human, not prone to mistakes, yet responsible enough.

Almost everyone is going through something, so it is our responsibility to give them peace so they can emerge victors even in the worst happenings. Be kind to people, don’t be quick to pass judgment, and show genuine care; it heals a part of the person and gives them the courage to keep fighting. Sometimes peace is what people need to figure themselves out and grow past the darkness,