THE MRS AND RELOCATION

One of the most common things that happen to a wife is relocation. Some women move from their houses or parents' houses to join their husbands in the same city. Others are privileged to a higher calling of moving across states and cities (my case), some are even called to a more higher calling of moving across countries and continents...hmmm what marriage can do. No matter where a woman is relocating from to her husband's house, it always involves some level of adjustments. Adjustments which may take days, sometimes months before one properly fits in.
OK, here's the thing, I grew up in Calabar, and if you have ever visited that city you will understand what I am about to say. Calabar has always been  calm, peaceful and serene. I actually grew up in a government quarters somewhere in Calabar, where I always could hear birds chirp in the afternoon loud and clear. I am sure that is a luxury that my Lagos sisters can only read about and maybe do some dreaming on the subject. So, that was pretty much my environment-very serene. The residents of the city recognized the serene nature, so it rubbed off on their lifestyle, the way and manner they talked and approached issues. Things had to be very bad before it resulted in fights. An average Calabar man is what you will like to describe as the jolly, good fellow. He loves to have his fun and would not want to be robbed of it. He will therefore do all he can to avoid anything and I mean anything at all that can take away his fun from him. Having been raised in such an environment, imagine having to relocate to Warri to join my husband. Hmmm, a complete contrast to what I knew. I can assure you, it hasn't been easy at all but we are better than when we started. The way people are so ready to show you how wrong you are and how right they are, the way cursing is regarded as a joke ('na joke nah'). I remember the day I heard two friends talk, apparently, one was very ill and was just recovering, so the other came on a visit. The first thing that came out of the visiting friend's mouth was: "Guy, u never die, I tink say as I come so na ur corpse I wan come see". I was very alarmed, only for the sick friend to reply laughingly "thunder fire ur mama" and they both laughed. My blood almost dried up. I looked around and noticed that I was the only one who found anything wrong with what happened. So I straightened up and whispered to myself :we learn everyday.

The restiveness of the youths got me worried, everyone is just prepared for any trouble. They arent afraid, instead, they just prepare themselves for uncertainties. That is one thing I am learning, it's a good thing even though it has bad roots. I think most people in this town are still trying to rid themselves of the scars of the crisis of the nineties,so it rubs off on their lifetyles. I am still learning to adapt to this place, trusting God for it.

I think as wives, what is most important is that we are with our husbands, our coverings. So it doesn't matter where they are, the grace of the office of a wife will be abundant to help us adjust. So let's hear your relocation story, how you coped for older wives and how you are adjusting for newbies like me. You might just be helping someone, remember "Iron sharpeneth iron".
P.S My second image is the picture of Warri in my mind, the Warri I hope to see some day.