To The Beautiful You, London

  To The Beautiful You, London

                                                                                             29^th October, 2022.

                          

Dear London,        

I am Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu, the Nigerian brown-skinned young woman that is always overwhelmed with happiness at the mention of your name. I never really believed that I could fall in love with a city by just reading about it. I thought it was just something that people exaggerated in stories, but the first time I read about the Great Fire of London, I knew that you were the best city for me. At that moment, I felt that you were just like gold in the fire; refined and purified to be admired by everyone. It is true that I have never visited you before, but I feel happy just by reading books about you. Whenever I read books about you, London, I feel like I am being transported to my favourite foreign city, as well as immersing me in all of the lush details of your perfect spot.

How lovely of you to be the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. You impeccably stand on the glimmering River Thames in South-east England at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) estuary down to the North Sea, and have been a major settlement for two millennia.

You’re culturally rich and such a diverse city as you, with centuries of history flowing within every alleyway and mews makes me to always want to know more about you.

I could imagine how glorious it would be to watch the sunset from Waterloo Bridge, and looking ahead at the beautiful Eye of London which sits right in your heart. I read that the London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, and that it is a beautiful, modern structure that represents a modern and successful London. I feel so happy about you, my sweet great London.         

London, you are a major city of about 9 million people and you undoubtedly house so many beautiful places like St. Paul Cathedral which offers an awe-inspiring walk through history, and featuring some of the most beautiful art mosaic and architecture. What about Syon Park which was built in the 1760s? I enjoy browsing with my phone just to admire the 200-acre park and its grand house with superb interior. I also enjoy reading the London Bridge which glows magnificently at night as well as the Canary Riverside, the markets which are constantly buzzing from Old Spitalfields in East London to the multi-storey operation in Camden Market, the numerous walking trails, the Tower of London, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the coffee shops, hips of bars and restaurants, high-end schools, museums, courts, beautiful buildings, lovely people with beautiful souls and hearts. In fact, I don’t need to be there before knowing that every corner of you has its own distinct charm, waiting for me to come over and discover them myself. Your attractions draw in millions of people to you.

Yes, many of the top cities of the world have their own attractions which have received awards and have left huge tourist trails just like you. However, no one would dispute the fact that people of all nationalities, cultures, and ethnolinguistic backgrounds see you as the place where they can freely live, work, school, build their future and have fun. 

I genuinely want to simply wander around you and get lost in all the neighbourhoods you have created. I want to enjoy your lovely weather and the delicious meals which you offer generously. I read that the people living in you are as beautiful and amazing as you. Though you might be expensive for most people to live in, but then, I still believe that you somehow have room for all. There is no city without challenges but your ability to overcome whatever challenge that is thrown at you makes you the hero of the entire city in the world. Do you know why I call you the hero of cities? Despite experiencing devastation and destruction during the Great Fire of London in 1666 which brought an end to the ravaging plague, to the aftermath of two World Wars, you gloriously rose like a phoenix from the ashes, and today you stand tall, stronger and even beautiful! You survived the Great Fire, and became a glittering gold.

In you, many people have built great future for themselves. You have produced the world’s number one royal family; you have equally produced great men and women that are ruling the world today. You give everyone great opportunities. For your attractions and the good things you offer, many families have today migrated to you, and many more are everyday queuing the line all because of how amazing you are.

It is impossible not to fall in love with you my great London. You’re rich in history, adventures, food, art, and culture. Tell me, why can’t I fall in love with you over and over again? You might be surprised as to why someone that hasn’t seen you before could truly fall in love with you, right? Sometimes, people fall in love with people, places or things even before meeting them in real life. I am among the one percent of people that do not need to see you before falling in love with you. You deserve to be loved and cherished. There might be biases from people. But to me, I sincerely want to tell you that you’re the number one city on my travel calendar.

People say that falling in love is magical; I think I felt it with you. Always remain you, and take care of everyone as you have always done. I believe in you. I believe in the greater and beautiful future that still awaits you.

Yours sincerely,                                 

Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu.   

My Mother, My Everything

My Mother, My Everything

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

 

All my life, I have realised that being a mother is the only job without monthly salary. No retirement, no day off, no shift, no leave, no resign, no retreat and no surrender. But, it is a job of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is work for life.

I have discovered that no one hides pain better than a mother who is trying to survive for her children.

Whenever I look at my mum’s beautiful face I can’t help but smile and thank GOD for the gift of her. I can’t help but hug her and never let her go.

My mother has always been my inspiration. She has always been my source of strength.

As I lay on the couch in my living room one Friday morning, I recall my mother telling me about my journey into this world.

She told me that it took GOD nine months to create me. Throughout the nine months, I was in her womb swimming like little fat worm and fish. I had caused her pain but she was glad she had me in her womb. I had kicked her while in the womb, but she never got mad, instead, she smiled and rubbed her belly gently blessing me in her womb.

She told me about her cries in the labour room, about her contractions and about how I finally landed. She held me in her hands, kissed my pink cheek as tears of joy streamed down her face. She was glad because I became her Joy of Motherhood.

During my school days, my mother became an early bird. She will wake up so early in the morning depriving herself of her beautiful sleep just to get me ready for school.

She never told me this but I knew that most times my mother went hungry for my sake. She went out very early to work and came home late looking very tired and hungry. Instead of grabbing a bite, she will feed me. Instead of taking a rest, she will bath and put me to sleep. She would walk in the rains, and in the hot scorching sun for my sake.

I might not wear luxury dresses but you never fail to clothe me. You might not have brought me to high-end restaurants but you always feed me with your best home cooked food.

I might not live in a palace, but you gave me a home filled with happiness and peace.

You saved your hard earned money for my school so I would become a better someone in the future.

Mum, I might be too many things-stubborn, naughty and even silly, but I will never risk loving you. I will never trade my love for you for anything in the world.

You are my gold and diamond. Mum, I want to say thank you for loving me unconditionally, thank you for carrying me in your womb for nine months, thank you for given me sunshine and peace, thank you for holding my hands and leading me to the right track. Thank you for being my weapon shield, thank you for feeding me always, thank you for being my mother.

I love you mum-I always love you and will never grow tired of loving you. I love your warm embrace which gives me strength. I enjoy your lovely kisses and will always want it.

I pray you grow old and become a healthy grandmother of my grandchildren.

Mum, always know that no matter how old I become you’ll forever remain my mother and I will forever remain your little cute baby. I love you my precious jewel. You are my best gift and my everything.

You are a blessing that no one can replace. I pray you eat the fruit of your labour.