Dear Daily,
Today feels heavy and light at the same time.
The morning in Abuja came in with that familiar dry heat, but there was rain in the air. You could smell it before it came. People were rushing, buses were packed, and everyone was talking about fuel prices and “what the government will do next.” Same gist, different day.
I thought a lot about safety today. Another story about kidnapping on the news, another family begging for help. It’s exhausting to carry. You try to go about your life, go to work, laugh with friends, but in the back of your mind you’re always calculating: Which route is safer? What time should I be home?
I don’t want to get used to that feeling, Daily. I don’t want fear to become normal.
But then there were small wins too.
A friend called just to check on me. No reason.
I saw kids playing football in the street, shouting and chasing the ball like nothing in the world was wrong.
And I remembered that Nigeria is also that: resilience in small places. People still plant, still teach, still build, still hope.
I’m learning to hold both things — the worry and the gratitude. To be angry at what’s broken, and still be thankful for what’s standing.
Tonight I’m going to drink water, call my people, and rest. Tomorrow we’ll try again.
With love,
Me