by Sr. Jacinta Mahakwe MMM                                  Nigeria                        24.11.2024

Building connections and relationships is vital for our well-being and happiness.  Connection provides a feeling of being part of something larger.  After a long time on home leave, I returned to the community and my everyday life.  It was my time to take up the house shopping for the month.  Our neighbourhood has a grocery store with fresh and cheap foodstuffs.  I got everything on my list and went to the counter to pay.  There was a smiling face waiting for me.  She said, “My friend, it has been a long time.  You frequent our shop, but I haven’t seen you for a while. I didn’t know who to ask after you.  I missed your smiles and friendly look, my sister.”

I was full of surprise.  Feedback from others helps us understand ourselves and I so much appreciated her remarks.  Oh, the little moments that slip by.  Excited, I told her that I visited my country for the holidays and spent a few months there.  She asked questions about my family.  She shares some interesting stories she heard about my country in the social media and wanted to learn more.   I enquired about her family and work.  We exchanged names, contacts and shared ideas and experiences, maintaining connections while learning something new each day from each other.

There are a lot of things lacking in our world today.  Some are material, while some are not.  Hunger to be seen and heard, hunger for friendship.  Mine too, was satisfied.  Relationships expose us to new experiences, diversity and knowledge.  I learnt more about her while sharing about myself. S he is my friend, yes, my sister.  The experience challenges me to engage fully with others, show understanding and compassion, spend time with loved ones, and express appreciation for others.  Reaching out and connecting with others builds stronger, more supportive communities and improve communication and conflict resolution.  Relationship offer comfort, empathy, and guidance. Investing in connections and relationships enriches our lives and fosters a sense of purpose.  Nurture your relationships and prioritize building new ones.

Thank you, my friend, for noticing.