I saw a post on Instagram that got me thinking of the effect of COVID19 on this two groups of women, wives and mothers and widows and mothers who though with great similarities has differences that can mitigate or aggravate the outcome if not “checkmated”
They’re 1st the wives and mothers, as seen on picture above. It stated the three state of possible outcomes with question; which group as a mother and wife will likely fall into at the end of this pandemic battle; Slim, Fat or Pregnant.
While I must state that none of the three is bad even if different from our desire, as the most important thing to the glory of God is that we all come out hale and hearty at the end, slim, fat or pregnant; the celebrations of life is more important.
Yes it is. Yet, it got me thinking about the widows and mothers. They’re women with their children in this same stay at home, stay safe. To them, they do not have the luxury of wanting to vote for any of the three slim, fat or pregnant as the dilemma in their struggle to feed the kids stuck at home is a battle of self mental torture. In all their struggle their outcome will dance between thin, depression, mental health and suicide. .
Yes, you read it right and God forbid but that’s reality. As they battle in their privacy the fear of lack as the kids look into their eyes hungry forcing hard to keep the tears away from them talk less of getting fat. A widow called, crying that haven’t run out of food she went to her kiosks to see what to do but was harassed by law enforcement even as she noticed the goods has started spoiling; she’s stock with confusion and hunger.
As they lock themselves away in privacy of the dark weeping afraid of the next day in their depressed state, slim will not be the portion of her body but thin. Yes, though it’s been proven depression makes some fat as they eat more but with no food to eat, they are unlikely to fall into fatness but more frustration
As they have no adult companion for burden sharing and the other room activities which medically has been proven to drastically slash stress level; they cannot talk of pregnancy. Remember that even the room for side chick and small chops as the case may be having been blocked not just by the wives but by coronavirus as not even the widow in her state is attuned to such consummation not to talk of the chairman; hence depression.
While suicide is not common in our clime but we all cannot beat our chest at the end of all these to say none actually went that route for even if we do, we will not ignore a mental health challenge that may likely spring up as aftermath.
These and many are heavy challenges to her. While most are daily income earners and others are not; they both depend on work for psychological and physiological needs. We must remember that the church which has been the only outlet for both her emotional and psychological needs, where she has developed a high spiritual connection that helps extinguish the heat of ALL her EMOTION has been shut down.
Now she’s locked alone in her house with her kids and because she is battling through this period as mommy that’s the daddy, she forgets herself unaware the damage that might be going on under.
Dear sisters and brothers, let’s be more concerned about others now more than ever before. Look out for women in widowhood, a whole lot of them are in an excruciating emotional struggle, send them love in cash and kind; send the food, recharge their data to keep them on line, call and chat them up. This is my good morning message today “Pls am a widow with kids and due to the lockdown we’re unable to work and the little food stuff we have at home is finished.I have nothing to feed my kids with this extension. Pls momma I need your assistance”; and this is a reality.
Dear sisters in widowhood, know that even this too will pass. Resist the seat of sorrow. Be positive. Feed the kids to live, spread their meals in tiny portions to meet up their regular demand. Create fun time with games, the local “ayo” game can be improvised with counters, stones and pebbles. Local scrabble for word formations. Reading competitions etc. Reach out to friends, reach to family and reach in to your strength. This too will pass but work to not pass with it.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said it all “this is time for science and solidarity”; while the scientists are in the laboratory researching for a cure and vaccine, the medical personnel are in the hospital managing the patients, each of us can take up the solidarity. We should be reaching out to many with palliative support to minimise and alleviate hunger. Look out for them especially our widow sisters, I know many and can connect you to many genuinely in need.
#awidowswindow #coronavirus #StayAtHome #staysafe #hunger #children #depression #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #endeverywidowhoodrites #widowsrights #widowsprotectionbill
A Widow's Window 