Meet (part of) My Family

So I did a post that kinda introduced you to my parents and then a few weeks ago you “met " my sister. With that said, I figured you might as well meet the rest of my family - well at least my siblings for the time being. 

Olatoye, we call him Junior because he has dad’s middle name but everyone else calls hm O’. Being the oldest of the bunch he has those “older brother” qualities. You know, annoying, hovers too much… just kidding. But in all seriousness he looks out for all of us. He’s always willing to hear your stories - no matter how boring or boy-oriented they may be. Not to mention his advice is always warranted. I remember my last years at college, he saved me a bundle thanks to his street smarts when in comes to money.

Next in age is Tejumola. We either call him Teju or Teej. Me and him are so similar in many ways. We both like to draw, introverted extroverts and love a good joke. Besides that, he reminds me so much of dad. Stern but just a big softie on the inside.

 

You met my sister but just so she isn’t left out in this post, her name is Simisola but she’s called Sim or Simi (I call her my pearl but only on Sundays. Haha inside joke). I may not ask her for advice all the time but the way she lives her life and carries herself is advice enough.

Last but not least, my twin brother Mobolaji. Just call him Mo. He’s the outgoing one that knows everything about everything. Quick to make friends wherever he goes- and I don’t just say that for effect, it’s literally true. His ability to do that is a trait I truly admire about him. He also has his quiet moments because he’s a thinker too. I know for a fact that if it were not for him, I would not have ventured out as much to experience all I have today. (Side Note: a friend of mine the other day gave me stern talking to when I just casually slipped in the conversation that I have a twin brother like it wasn’t a big deal. She was hurt that I never once mentioned it to her. So for all you people like Emily, here I am proclaiming to the world that I have a twin brother. You can no longer get upset when I fail to mention that).

So yeah, there you have it. That’s (part of) my family in a nutshell. If you have yet to meet ‘em I suggest you do somehow because they’re fricken awesome!!

Dear Mom, Ma, and Dad,

           The other day I came across the verses Psalm 44:1-3. They go as follows:

"We have heard it with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm and the light of your face, for you loved them."

With that I just wanted to take the time out to say thank you. I take a look at my life now and marvel at the length and depth of it all. I rejoice in the years spent on this earth. Some of them were tough to get through but nonetheless, I am stil here. With God’s grace and everlasting, all-consuming, unfathomable love I am here. Which brings me back to you three. The reason I have been blessed with knowing such a love is because I was raised with it and in it. You also raised me with a truth that was attached to this love. You showed it to me from such a young age that it became a part of me. I knew nothing from it.

       So as I left the nest and ventured off on my own I had nothing to fear. Yes, I admit to being nervous and a bit apprehensive but it was the examples of Christ in your lives and and the stories told to me through you all that allowed me to forge on on my unpaved path - the one I still walk today. I walk boldly in the face of my future because I know that a set of parents that believe in me whole-heartedly also stand behind me. And behind them is a God who would die for me and did; a God who would fight for me and has. I know He stands rooted behind me and you - all of us.

"I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory… in God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever." - Psalm 44: 6-8

As a child, albeit a 21-year-old child I think that is one of the greatest gifts, lessons, advice, you could have ever passed down. You didn’t have to but you did.

So with that I say, ese ati mo dupe fun parents bi ti yin.

Always + forever

Mamma T. Teeni. Teniola Taiwo.