So... It's been 7 days and it's finally the time to announce the winner of the "Write about your best or worst memory of 2018" contest
I'm thankful for the number of people that participated, I enjoyed reading all of your stories. and I'm happy for you if it was the best memory story and I'm sorry and hope for the best if it was the worst memory story.
But... there's only 1 winner.
And the winner is - @sapient1 who wins 5 SBD.
The story he shared -
On Saturday December 30 2017, I went in the company of my siblings to the mountain to gather fuelwood that would be used for camp fire night on the eve of the new year December 31 2017/January 1, 2018.
The spirit was high, very motivated, anticipating the best new year ever. We were all happy gathering fuelwood. No complaints, no question asked, we were working towards a similar goal - having the best celebration of the new year ever.
In Nigeria, we usually burn tyres, fuelwood, rubbers to keep the environment warm. The fire usually burn till the morning of New year, so, no sleeping. Whosoever cannot endure can go away, but it is not a welcome idea to sleep by the fire, therefore devious plots are usually made for sleepers. We do sit round the fire, it's usually the best time to tell the best stories. A time to eat, drink and a time to discuss all that happened in the year as we get to meet individuals that have travelled home to celebrate the New Year.
There we were on the mountain, just about 3km from our home gathering fuelwood so as to have a perfect beginning of the New Year.
In our part of the country, it can rain anytime in the year but we never envisaged rain for that particular day. Unfortunately, it started raining, and it's been a long time that I've done such an exercise. But I did not mind as we usually do that in the village whenever we gathered. No vehicle/lorry not even a cart to transfer the woods.
We therefore had to carry woods on our heads rushing down home. The intensity of the rain increased, it became a heavy one, we had to move faster, in an attempt to run on the mountain being a city boy, I slidded off uncontrollably with my back head hitting the rocks, the wood I was carrying was moving in my front. My eyes were filled with what cannot be explained. As a result of the vibration my head experienced I guess, my visions turned blurred, I can't see clearly anymore.
I managed to get home, few hours later, I couldn't see a thing again. Everything went blank, blindness they call it. Then I realized how precious eyes are, I couldn't take it. I can't go to toilet or bathroom, I cannot do anything on my own, I can't help myself than to cry. I kept crying because it is a difficult situation to accept.
I rejected food, drink and medications given. I don't want to hear from anyone saved my mom. Everyone else that were around, including the people we were on the mountain together, I don't want them around me anymore.
I don't know it's now New Year, the 1st January, 2018, still blind going to about 72hours without sight. I only heard people talking, but don't know what to say. I wanted a perfect new year, here comes the worst new year ever, in blindness.
On the evening of new year, a family friend who happens to be an optometrist came visiting, just to greet as tradition demands greeting people in your neighborhood during festivities. I will believe his coming was God's doing, it was a miracle. He said it was a disorder as a result of vibration of the brain and spinal cord, that the sight will be restored in due time. He gave some prescriptions, which I used.
I woke up in the morning of the 5th day in blindness with blur vision not clear, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I shouted mom, I can see. She pointed at objects in the house for me to identify, I did. It was the happiest day in our family. A memorable 3rd January, 2018.
Following this, I was given eye glasses which I used happily. And on the morning of the 9th of January, 2018, my visions were restored fully, I began to see normally without glasses.
Thereafter, I went back to the mountain to take photographs.
I'm super happy for you that you can see again, and I thank you for the long, easy to understand the comment and interesting story.
The prize has been sent.
