The Narrow Escape that Never Was

Courtesy: nytimes.com

Growing up there was always something to look forward to. Do not get excited, it never was that serious but just ‘a narrow escape’. At every stage, I look forward to the next available ‘escape’.

I am told as a toddler, I looked forward to going to school since all my siblings were already schooling. In pre-school, I looked forward to Primary School because I wanted to be in the same school as my elder sister. No sooner had I wished for it than my parents took me to that school; there was some drama involved but that’s a story for another day.

After getting a chance to be in the same school as my sister the excitement faded away during my preteen years. I got to the point of desiring to go to High School and be in a different school from her. Better still I longed for a school where nobody knew me, and I did not require a parental escort. Taking yourself to school seemed like a big deal back then.

My desire for independence started early but my gut tells me it was probably rebellion kicking in. Looking at it now, I think it was the yearning to be a teen and more so ‘sweet sixteen’ the coveted age which was to be my next ‘narrow escape’.

Unfortunately, or maybe not, in High School, I met a former schoolmate. She was three years ahead of me and we connected immediately, and she became my self-appointed godmother. If you went to a Kenyan public high school, you know the privilege of being related to a senior. She helped me settle in and adjust pretty well.

Sweet sixteen came and it was not as sweet as I had been made to believe. Taking myself to school was neither as fun as I had anticipated. The highlights of sweet sixteen were raging hormones and physical changes that had only been mentioned in a biology class and seemed far-fetched at the time. The fact that I also had little control over my dressing choices was not appealing.

The time came for me to review and look for another ‘narrow escape’. This one was going to be huge as it would even change my social status, and everyone would have to look at me differently. I am sure you can guess what the escape was; acquiring a National Identification Card. I was going to be an adult and independent. My theme song had become, bye-bye sweet sixteen, adult eighteen here I come!

Immediately I celebrated my eighteenth birthday, which was not much about the age but what it symbolized, I went ahead to apply for my ID Card. Months later I had it, but nothing changed apart from the fact that I no longer had to be in school uniform. The next escape crept in swiftly and it was, joining campus. Going to class with whatever I felt like and living on my own seemed like the best ‘escape’ ever.

It was not so long before the assignments piled up and I had to learn how to balance my time. Gradually my pocket money started shrinking as well and this gave me an idea for my next ‘escape’. Financial freedom it was, and I worked to supplement my budget with the major allocation being on food and leisure. Things were going well until I had to revise my budget allocations and have a greater segment going to bills.

Courtesy: Reader's Digest

I have had enough time to consider my next ‘escape’ and heard what others consider but I am done looking because the ‘narrow escape’ will never be. The outcomes I have seen so far leave little or nothing to be desired.

Life has been made to look like one is moving from one escape to the next. Many are looking for the ‘escape’ in; marriage, a financial messiah, promotions, academic advancement, parenthood, and even independence. The truth is many miss out on the essence of life because they are busy looking out for the next ‘escape’.

So much effort is put into what tomorrow brings rather than what today is offering. Life is about now because it is all you got at hand and this moment can’t be re-lived. To live looking at the ‘narrow escape’ is simply being a prisoner. I choose to embrace the joys and sorrows of now, it’s all I got. Even tomorrow all I will have will still be now. Slow down my friends or your life will pass you by.

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