Thanksgiving: Why I Am Thankful By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

For those in America and those who embrace its sensibilities, today is Thanksgiving.   I am thankful that the people’s servants are throwing away their umbrellas for the brooms. Let the rain fall on the kings and the queens, I guess. Now is the time to sweep, I suppose. Or are they just itching for somewhere to sit, cross their legs and pick their teeth?

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I am thankful that I know why the fallen lizard nods its head.

I am thankful that the circle is almost complete. A president has gone to Mecca. A president has visited Jerusalem.  What’s left is a president that will visit Okija Shrine.

I am thankful that I don’t say “nothing spoil.” When something is spoiled, I say it is spoiled.

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I am thankful that Nigeria’s economy is growing at over 6%. So are the strikes, the unemployment, the crime and the remuneration of political office holders.

I am thankful that I am a stakeholder. So is the beggar, the truck pusher and the market woman. We are all entitled to an equal part of the stake.

I am thankful that subjugated ghosts of our past are creeping out of the graveyard. They deserve salvation, too.

I am thankful that I know that if those with the knives all chop small small, nothing will be left for the children yet unborn to chop. 

I am thankful that we know that power comes from the guts of those who want it so badly. It doesn’t drop like Manna from heaven.

I am thankful that I am true to myself. That is the ultimate commandment.

I am thankful that we know that we cannot move the nation forward without touching the so-called untouchables- the so-called anointed. They are the ones whose roots are holding the nation back.

I am thankful that I am relatively happy in spite of all the madness around me.

I am thankful that we dey - the same way God dey, Sun dey, moon dey. Each one must do its own thing to keep the circle of life going.

I am thankful that I express myself without the fear of being wrong, even when I am the only voice.

I am thankful that we work hard and still find the time to pause and laugh. Laughter rejuvenates the worn out muscles.

I am thankful that my friends still consider me their friend even when I do not keep in touch as I used to.

I am thankful that we have all agreed that we cannot worship people and still hold them accountable.

I am thankful that my flaws do not eat up my self-esteem. They should not eat up yours. Everyone counts, including you.

I am thankful that those who can bend their knees down enough allow the blanket of life to cover their whole body.

I am thankful that I know how much I need to know before I know how little I know.

I am thankful that the mountains and valleys of our lives are just flyovers and subways to the city in the sun.

I am thankful that my marriage was not made in heaven but in the heart of a special woman, Edna, who I can reach with smiles, tears and fears.   I am thankful for the impression of me as an all-knowing, all-powerful, wealthy man that my kids, Ijeamaka and Ogonna, have.   I am thankful for my parents, J. C. and Madam J. C for teaching me how to think for myself.   I am thankful for my siblings who pick up the slack as I strive to pick up the flak.   I am thankful I am able to make sacrifices in spite of the embarrassing moral authority they try to confer on me.   I am thankful for my annoying habits. Otherwise, I would think I am perfect.   I am thankful for those who curse me out. They love me. Even though neither them nor I often believe it.   I am thankful I am good at something. I just have to find out what the hell that thing is.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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