When my pension money disappeared, my garden kept me alive

Last year, after 33 years of service, my pension money just vanished. Not stolen, just lost in the system. They said my file was missing. I waited, I wrote letters, I went to the office many times. Nothing. My savings started to finish. I had to borrow from my old friend and even my son who is a teacher.

But every morning at 5, I still went to my garden. I planted tomatoes, pepper, and some greens. That garden fed us. It gave us something to eat when money was tight. It also gave me peace. When I was digging the soil, I was not thinking about the pension or the people who treated me like I was invisible.

My daughter asked me why I was not angry. I told her, the Yoruba say, bi oba ti ri ni mo ti n ri. What I have seen is what I know. Anger would not bring the money. Patience and the garden brought us through. The pension eventually came, but the lesson stayed. When everything fails you, find something simple that keeps your hands busy and your heart quiet. What keeps you going when the system disappoints you?