January Chronicles

 

May the Lord bless you & Keep you, The Lord make his face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26.

This is the Scripture that is normally read on 1st January in the Catholic Church. 

Welcome To The Month Of January. The first month of the year is always full of Transitions. For some its moving to new places, others reporting to new work stations. For the children it entails starting a new school, making new friends or going to a new class. January can be called a trial month that might need lots of planning and adjustments.

In Kenya January is popularly referred to as Njaanuary. Because it tends to be the longest month. And people tend to be broke after going on a spendthrift during the December holidays. There is a joke that cautions people that their December salary should take them until January. It also applies as the month of hunger since most people are broke.

Let's talk about the back to work shenanigan. Going back to work in January after the festive season can be a bit difficult. Especially if you enjoyed a long holiday. Adjusting to waking up early in the morning, the commuting and just being busy the whole day. It becomes so hard for the body to adjust. But most bankers can't relate to this because they only stay at home 25th,26th and 1st. For essential service  providers they too can't relate because for them working on 25th and 1st is very normal. I have a single lady friend who works in a hospital and just to ensure that her colleagues spend time with their families she decided to work on Christmas and New Years day. What a kind gesture.

For most parents its a time of financial constraints as they take their children back to school. From paying huge amounts of school fees (apparently there is a certain amount of money needed for one to be admitted to school) to buying school supplies especially if the child is going to a boarding school. You will see images of students even carrying mattresses its like moving to a new house. I have seen parents lament on Social Media about how hard it is taking these children back to school. Its financially draining for parents to ensure that their children have all the basic items and also paying school fees especially high school which also involves travelling far from home. the transportation also needs a lot planning. These days if you make an observation every parent wants to show up in their Children's school driving a car. Even if it means hiring a car. I recently did a video urging Parents, Caregivers or Guardians not see or show their children that they are a financial liability. Some parents later say its truly by the grace of God that they were able to take their kids to School. Recently a lady at the market told me that sadly she hasn't been able to take her daughter to school. And I know this is the reality for so many parents. And it breaks a parent's heart not to be able to take their children to school. Every Parent wants the best for their children. 

But the implication is not only Financially but also the Social Aspect. Especially for parents whose children are going to boarding schools. It is probably the first time their children are leaving home. So the parents are worried if they will be able to survive being away from home. Will they survive the change of environment, the diet or just being away from home. And oh the parents will definitely miss them. And I have seen them post on their Social Media pages saying how they are looking for the slightest opportunity to go see their children. This also affects the children who are going to a new school. They have to navigate through new environments, make new friends & adjust to a new routine,

And Is your housekeeper back? 😜😜😜Kenyan Women can relate very well to this question. January is when most women wait with crossed fingers for their housekeepers to come back. They dread that phone call or message of Madam, I am not coming back or I got another job or worse not picking their calls or answering messages. This throws employers in the deep end. Because they have to start looking for new housekeepers, orient them and feel comfortable before they can settle back to work. This is the time most mothers/wives will call absent from work either because they are orienting a new housekeeper or they don't have someone to look after the kids. it's the most humbling experience or season for any mother. This is the one time when housekeepers hold power in their hands. 

And the Con games in this season are on another level. There is a game most women have fallen for. She gets a housekeeper through the phone and sends her transport money only for her not to show up. She will switch off her phone and that's it.  Or she comes and only stays for a days and all over sudden she is leaving. Guess what your house was just a place of transit. So Sad😭😭😭. And recently there has been a debate on weather to ask for our housekeeper's ID. I believe its time Employers do due diligence in terms of even issuing a contract and even having payment records. So you can be able to defend yourself in the courts should you end up there.  Always remember this is the person you are entrusting your children with. Due Diligence is Your Responsibility.

Always keep in mind that most housekeepers aren't in the field willingly. Its the circumstances of life that force them. So the enthusiasm sometimes is not really there. They do the work for the money. This sometimes can attribute to their attitude. 

I know for many of us January can be quite tiresome as much as we are trying to be positive about the New Year. And our Resolutions story for another day because it takes a lot of resilience to learn and adopt to a new routine or habits and it's another thing to stick to it. And this is where procrastination begins when we keep postponing the start date of our New Year Resolutions.

I Hope In February You Experienced Love & Got Celebrated On Valentine's Day. But Always Remember With The One You Love, Everyday Is Valentine's Day.😊