What Joshua Said

Conversations, for me, are a delicate dance. Too short, and they leave me wanting more. Too long, and they drown in their own noise. I prefer the former. I find solace in silence, but crave words woven with meaning so I did my best when I spoke to Joshua.

Some people are gifted orators while others, like me, wield the pen. So, at the workshop, during our conversation, I could easily tell where he fell on this spectrum.

The workshop was about to end and the introvert in me was ready to sigh in relief. We’ll just email in our story and not have to address the class, but Joshua… His bravery held a quiet defiance. Though attention seemed to prickle his skin, he wouldn’t vanish without making his mark.

The task: tell a story about your partner. Me.

I braced myself for polite generalities, a quick escape. But Joshua wasn’t one for shortcuts. He dug deep.

This is what he said:

“Speaking with Chidimma, I was reminded of a sunflower; vibrant, positive and resilient. In our heartfelt conversations about the crazy journey of adulthood, she shared the delicate balance she seeks between work, family, and personal aspirations. Life’s path, she explained, is never quite as we imagine…”

Her life is not as simple as she would want it to be , but she gracefully navigates her role, refusing to be overshadowed by the weight of responsibilities…

As Chidimma shared her aspirations and the strides she took to make them a reality, I couldn’t help but be swept away by her infectious optimism. Her journey shared in 10 minutes resonated deeply.

This is what she’s taught me. Joshua, Own your story. My story is important. Not the prim and proper version but the real story. The one that tells of fears. The one that tells of my mistakes. The one that shows that I have not always had it all together.

The world is constantly demanding perfection but the truth is humans are flawed. Many may not see it but there is beauty in our imperfection. It makes us relatable. It shows that we have the capacity for growth and that makes for a far more interesting journey.

I am rooting for Chidimma. It’s is not merely an expression of support; it is an acknowledgment of the profound impact her journey has had on my heart. In her story, I have discovered something I didn’t know I needed; a gentle nudge to be present in my own story. That amidst my own pessimism and the weight of regrets, there have been challenges that have been overcome and there is more growth to be achieved.”

After listening to Joshua, I am now thinking that maybe, just maybe, I am indeed everything I think I am.

Joshua is amazing and I know the world will hear him roar soon. I am rooting for him too.