You don't want the owner to come and get you standing there or get some curious people look at you as if the money you had picked was theirs to spend. That reminds me: what is always the issue with these people who must always be there when you minding your own business; like when you are busy picking up coins, or you are with your bae taking some evening lovey-lovey walks? Why do they have to always glance at you with those curious eyes that make you very uncomfortable? People please, let us mind our own business when in any public place. Perhaps, lawyers should advise if we can go ahead and sue for Public Harassment; we can coin something like, "Public Eye Assault" and the charge sheet would read something like "Causing Personal Disturbance to an innocent taxpayer going about his hustles.
Back to the coin incident, so I am sure some of you are wondering why I didn't pick that coin. The common believe being, money is money even if its a 1 bob Kenya shillings that is money and should not be left on the ground. Two probable scenarios present itself here, either, I have made it life, with a fat bank account or there were many people around, hence I had no clear strategy of picking the coin without being noticed. Nothing can be further from the truth, no fat bank account and in fact, I was the only being on the road that day.
So why didn't I do the honorable thing and pick the damn coin? MEMORIES
This single incident reminded me of what college life was. How I managed to survive and graduate, its only God who can tell. College was a "mateso bila chuki" experience. Could you believe, for instance, if I told you that 10 shillings was all that I needed for my daily meals? That breakfast was a luxury and supper depended on whose hostel cube I was hosted?
That with 10 bob, I could go to the Kibandaski guy for two Mandazis cut into pieces served with a Mandondo soup or if lady luck knocked at my door, I got to be served with "Nyama Soup" with a tiny piece of meat that needed no chewing plus a meatless bone as a bonus for being a good customer? That with 100 shillings note, I was considered 'rich' enough to treat my boyz for lunch at the kibandaski?
That even getting 10 bob was a struggle, and the highest amount of credit to purchase was the 5 shillings Safaricom airtime? (The guys at Safaricom should tell me what happened to the precious 5 bob airtime) That 'please call me" were so precious, that we even considered petitioning Safaricom to increase the daily offer from 5 to 10
Memories down the lane, memories of what real struggle was, Memories that disciplined me financially, making me a master of being accountable for every penny I earn, and jumping into every opportunity that has the potential of putting that extra coin into your back pocket (Yes, back pocket where it is sealed)
Back then the hustle was real, and what mattered then, was "How do I get a meal into my stomach to cool down the worms that constantly raised the alarm of hunger unashamedly as if they had right to be fed" Shida Tupu!
During this period, dating was an expensive venture, how could you treat your bae? Yes, to make matters worse a campus bae? Campus ladies are the most demanding creatures on earth, lay down your intention to date them, and immediately, her financial burdens becomes your obligation, she is a queen, who must dress, act to impress the King and his boys, doesn't matter how many Kings she has, all the kings have one duty, carry her financial burden.
Is this the reason why, campus divas, opt for sponsors who can clear their financial burdens and offer them the glory high life they are entitled to? A story for another day.
Looking at how far I have come, replaying the sweet-bitter memories in my mind, I promise myself one thing: None of my kids will undergo the trauma; So help me God! However, if you take me back to the same environment, with same conditions and say, "Look Pete, you got to live life" I can assure you, nothing would change, I don't see how better I could have escaped that life. Not when you come from a humble background and you don't want to demand a lot from your parents and stress them up for no reason.
As years pass by, I have come to realize that, it was all part of God's plan for my life. That to be where I am today, to become whom I have become, and to achieve what I need to achieve, I had to pass through those struggles and challenges. Look, guys, I am now disciplined financially, I respect persons from different backgrounds, and in all honesty, I know that to become a great person, it calls for some sacrifices from my end.
My 10 Bob Golden Memories, Memories that have impacted on my view of life and why I appreciate every occurrence in my life.
HOPES: If I am no longer bothered by a 10 bob coin on the ground, that means, a time will come when I will not be bothered by a 1,000 Note on the ground. When that time comes, it will be a clear indicator of my financial strength.
Hahaha.....I could still pick 100Bob note on the ground today, I need to move to 200, then 500, then 1000 and then, Hurraaay, no Money on the ground would be my business to mind. 2018, could you please be kind to me and move me high above these indicators of my financial strength?
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