_{designed with inshot app}

Hi guys, I'm here again. We all have places we belong to, lineage, family line etc. Extended family members are people who share the same blood with us as relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces etc. I've got relatives from my Mom and Dad's family and of course I've noticed a whole lot on their behaviors and attitudes towards members of the family who ain't their children, parents or siblings.

I've actually noticed that my maternal extended family members are the worst set of people I could go to when faced with challenges, all they care about is themselves and what belongs to them, so I prefer dying alone with my wahalas

             While

Relatives from my father's side are awesome, superb and amazing set of people. They can go through odds to help each other out, they have a golden heart of which I'm proud of, that's why I'll forever be indebted to dad's family till death do us part😁. I've been helped severally by my paternal extended family members but I wanna share just one of such experience.

How it all happened

It all started when I found myself in a tight corner financially while the SSCE registration was ongoing, Dad had tried his best to clear all the examination fees before time. Just two-days to the examination, it was demanded that we pay the sum #8,000 for thumbprint and capturing as only eligible students would be given student's ID card as a permit into the exams hall.

My dad had too many pressures already and I didn't want to add to it, besides the family's financial status wasn't stable. I paid my way to the village without my dad's knowledge and went straight to my aunt's house. After helping her with some chores, I explained everything to her and although it was sudden, she gave me my fare back home and told me to come back the next day.

The next day dawned at me in my aunt's home as I was really desperate, I can't just loose my 6 years of education this way. My aunt gave me the needed amount and added some more for my other needs,I was more than grateful as she saved my butt and I was able to write the examination successfully.

My challenge

I was in a deep state of financial difficulty, I'm actually known in my family in terms of saving for future use but this at particular moment, I realized I didn't have Kobo on me. It was just so frustrating and I didn't want to bother dad, he's done a lot already.

Was she capable of helping??

Actually, I've merited help from various members of my paternal extended family and they've done that even without having to make request. Although my aunt has her own family and children, she's always the right person to run to when in trouble because she welcomes with open arms. She's is my closest aunt, friend and extended family member and I adore her

How I view my extended family members

Although, relatives from my mom's side exhibit the "I don't care attitude" towards us, I still give them the respect they deserve because we have the same blood running in us. God admonishes us not to revenge because vengeance is his, he will repay, besides what you want men to do to you, do likewise. I wish them the best that life offers, what goes up will always come down.

As for my paternal extended family members, they're the best. They're like body parts which cannot function without the other, I pray and hope the peace and unity found within themselves lasts till eternity.

Can I survive without the assistance of extended family members??

I paid my way to the village without my dad's knowledge and went straight to my aunt's house.

I forgot to explain why I did that, my dad has trained us to be independent of others, never to live our lives depending on others. I decided to visit my aunt without dad's knowledge because he would have told me to stay back that he'll see what he can do. Even after paying the money, my dad scolded and shouted at me severally for seeking help from a family woman who has her own responsibilities, she had to plead with my dad over the phone to take things easy with me.

I've decided to live with or without help. Even the Bible says that "each one will carry his own load", so I let that Bible verse shape my life. I can only ask for help when a situation is completely beyond my control.

I keep saying that family is gold whether nuclear or extended. What pulls family apart is the lack of love and trust amongst themselves. Therefore, we should endeavour to promote peace and love to strengthen the bonds in our respective families.

Special mention
@ijelady
@focusnow
@marajah

25%- #null