MISS LATE

She was to be a winter's child but she was born in spring. They said she'd never speak but then she did at three. A February's baby born in March, her parents thought it was a curse. Their girl loved to take her time so they named her 'Late'. Late was late in getting up, growing up and catching up. She was late to class, late to church and late to work. She delayed in arriving, delayed in learning and delayed in understanding. She made headlines because she couldn't meet deadlines. The pastor would see her tip toe to a pew just before the grace was said. He'd shake his head and whisper a prayer. A few suitors left her wounded; she was late in loving. By the time she fell for them, it was too late.

One day Miss Late sat by a tree, late in the afternoon. There walked an old man in his late seventies. "Why the long face?" he asked. She took her time, "Because I'm always late," she replied.

"Three things", he said.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west... No matter how fast or slow we do our things, it always has and always will.

A caterpillar is quite unsightly. But day by day, the slow caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly.

The tortoise is unforgivably slow. But by one hundred years, he will outlive us all.

As she thought about his words, the old man began to walk away. "Sir, what do they call you?" Miss Late asked. "Wisdom", he smiled and replied.

We live in a world that believes in instant things: Instant coffee, instant shower, instant success... and the list is endless. But the things that endure are those that take time. Should I talk of precious diamonds and the millions of years it took to form them? Should I talk of a baby in a mother's womb? Should I talk of talent and the years it takes to perfect? Should I talk of a tree and the years it takes to grow?

Real relationships take time. Real success takes time. Real love takes time. Real talent takes time. Real knowledge takes time. Real... well real everything takes time.

And the beauty of the wisdom is in knowing the difference; the difference between perceived lateness or success in the making.

 

STILL STANDING

One of the most exciting things about my home is that it borders the great Mt. Kenya forest, home to hundreds of elephants and millions of indigenous trees. Out of the millions, there is one tree in particular that stands out. Some call it the "Great Oak Tree", we call it "King Muuru".

What is so special about this tree? It is the only one of its kind that is STILL STANDING. It is rumored to be hundreds of years old. My great grandfather spoke of its greatness during his time.

When you first enter that part of the forest, you only see hundreds of tall trees. But when you keep going you'll meet this wooden wall that seems to vanish into the heavens; a real 'Jack and the Bean Stalk' kind of experience. When you step back, you realize the wall is actually part of a tree trunk. So big is this trunk that the locals have carved a room in it (with no detriment to the tree) that can fit 20 people at a go.

Some months ago, I went through an experience that came a close second in my "Life's worst experiences". Although I have been betrayed before, this one struck me the hardest. I used to think that animals are cruel until I met this heartless species called 'Homo Sapien Sapien'. Only they can take a shot gun and blow a hole through your chest (figuratively speaking) and call you two weeks later to find out how you are doing. My friend may have as well thrown me under the bus then after that strapped me on a railway line. The aftermath would be the same.

All betrayals involve: A trusted/loved one, a position of vulnerability/trust, a breach of that trust. Whether it is being cheated on, losing a job, a friend broadcasting your secret or a loved one taking advantage of your weakness, betrayal can be nasty and some people never recover from it.

I was stuck in a moment. But one day I remembered King Muuru. I remembered how I first saw him as a child. He was tall and majestic just like today. I wondered how he had survived years of deforestation, rain storms, elephant trampling and drought. Other trees had gone through the same but didn't make it.

Storms come but it is our reaction towards them that is especially important. Be patient in affliction and CHOOSE to see the bright side. REFUSE to play the victim and CHOOSE to be happy. Instead of dwelling on what happened, LOOK at what you have.

Someday, it will be OVER. This is a SEASON and it shall END. And you will look back and realize that the pain of yesterday made you stronger, wiser and happier. What's IN FRONT of you is different from what's behind you. 

And one day, after the season of deforestation, storms and drought, like the Great Oak Tree, you will find that you are one in a million because you are STILL STANDING.