Richard Okorogheye, a Ugandan-born creative director in London, wrote a heartfelt blog post about how he spent Christmas Day with his mum. The article details how they used to celebrate the special day by eating a breakfast consisting of Olosho, Nkata and Gadogado – African dishes that are eaten on many Christmas mornings in Uganda. Richard Okorogheye is reminiscing about how his mum, Evidence Joel, used to celebrate Christmas Day with him in Nigeria.
Richard Okorogheye Family History
He was the only child of his mother, who worked as a housemaid, and his father, who was a driver. When Richard was five years old, his father died in a car accident. His mother could not afford to send him to school, so he did not receive any formal education. Instead, he spent his days helping her with household chores and running errands for her employers. In November 2020, Richard Okorogheye went missing from his home in Ladbroke Grove, London. His mother feared that he had been abducted or killed. However, on Christmas Day 2020, she received a call from her son saying that he was alive and well and spending the holiday with friends. Although Richard’s whereabouts are currently unknown, his family is hopeful that he will return home soon.
Conflicts and Family Dynamics
It was Christmas time, and my mum and Richard Okorogheye had planned to spend it together. However, due to some family conflict, we ended up spending it apart. This was hard for me, as I really wanted to be with her and celebrate the holiday together.
Even though we were apart, we still managed to have a great time. We Facetimed each other throughout the day and exchanged gifts over the internet. It wasn’t the same as being together in person, but it was still special. I’m grateful that even though there was conflict within our family, we were still able to find a way to connect and spend time together.
It just goes to show that no matter what happens, our bond is always strong. Conflict is a normal part of any family dynamic. It is inevitable that at some point, there will be disagreements and arguments. However, it is important to remember that despite these conflicts, the bond between family members is always strong. Families can overcome any obstacle when they work together and communicate openly.
Teaching a Lesson
It was Christmas Day and Richard Okorogheye was spending it with my Mum. We had a lovely time together, opening presents and eating a big Christmas dinner. But towards the end of the day, I started to feel a bit sad. I missed my friends and I wished I could be with them. So, I decided to teach my Mum a lesson.
I told her that from now on, I was going to be really independent and not rely on her so much. I was going to start doing things for myself and not always expect her to do them for me. She seemed surprised at first, but then she smiled and said she was proud of me.
It felt good to know that she was proud of me, and it made me feel a bit better about being away from my friends on Christmas Day. In the end, it wasn’t such a bad day after all! It was Christmas morning, and I woke up early. I had a lot of excitement and energy, because I knew that today was the day I would finally get to spend some quality time with my mum. Richard Okorogheye had planned to go out for breakfast, do some Christmas shopping, and then see a movie together.
But first, I wanted to give her a present. I had made her a card and wrapped it up nicely, and I couldn’t wait to give it to her. When she came into my room, she was surprised to see me awake so early. I handed her the card and watched as she opened it. She was genuinely touched by the sentiment, and we hugged each other tightly.
Then we set off on our adventure together. We had a great time spending time with each other and doing all of the things we had planned. It was the best Christmas ever, and I am so grateful that I got to spend it with my mum.
Accepting Differences
It was Christmas time and my mum and I were spending it together. She had come to visit me in the UK from Nigeria a few weeks before and we were making the most of our time together. One evening, we were sat in my living room watching TV when a commercial came on for a new mobile phone. Richard Okorogheye mum commented on how much she liked the phone and I said that I did too. She then asked if I would get her one for Christmas.
I told her that I didn’t think she needed a new phone and that her current one was perfectly fine. She argued that she wanted one because all of her friends had them and she felt left out. We went back and forth for a while until I finally agreed to get her the phone she wanted. As we continued to watch TV, I started to think about how this small disagreement was representative of our relationship as a whole. Richard Okorogheye mum and I are very different people.
She is traditional and believes in following the rules, whereas I am more liberal and like to challenge convention. We don’t always see eye-to-eye but over the years we have learned to accept our differences. In fact, it is these differences that make our relationship so special. We may not always agree but at the end of the day, we love each other unconditionally and that is what really matters.
Lessons Learned: A New Tradition.
This Christmas was extra special because it was the first time Richard Okorogheye spent it with my mum. I was really excited to get to spend some quality time with her and learn more about my Nigerian culture. The food was amazing, and I loved learning how to make traditional dishes like Jollof rice. I also loved spending time chatting and laughing with my mum. It was a really special experience that I will always remember.
One of the things that I learnt from spending Christmas with my mum is that family is everything. No matter what happens in life, your family will always be there for you. They are the people who know you best and love you unconditionally. Spending time with them is one of the most cherished things you can do. I also learnt that traditions are important.
They are a way of connecting with your culture and heritage. They remind us of where we come from and help us to feel connected to our roots. Christmas is a time for families to come together and celebrate their traditions. I am so grateful that I got to experience this with my mum. Lastly, I learnt that Christmas is a time for giving.
It’s not just about receiving presents, but about giving of yourself to others. Whether it’s your time, your energy or your resources, giving to others is what makes Christmas special. This year, I made sure to give my mum lots of hugs and kisses – something that money can’t buy!