This is by no means a summary of that famous book by Charles Dickens, which is similarly titled, but please read through it to understand my choice of title.

Arike recently retired as a Deputy Director of Administration in a parastatal at the mandatory retirement age. If she had a choice, she would have preferred to continue in that comfortable position, enjoying the perquisites and trappings of her position. Fortunately for her, her two children were well settled in life and lived in the diaspora, although she lost her husband about five years prior. Arike felt confused, distraught, and afraid of the uncertainties ahead as she was retiring into a void. Luckily, she had a home jointly owned with her late husband back in their hometown. She had not felt the need for a house in the city since her office had always provided accommodation. She had no other assets as far as she could tell. After careful consideration, she decided to relocate to the “village” where she surmised that the stipends from her children, her gratuity, and her pension would have to stretch to meet her upkeep. She dreaded the decline in standards she would face but decided with a shrug, to bite the bullet.

A couple of months after relocating, she stood at the portals of the church when she noticed a sleek Chauffeur-driven jeep pull into the church premises. Who would emerge other than her childhood friend Didi? Their eyes met and Didi hurried toward Arike with a smile and a loud “Arikus…ah, is this really you? What are you doing back in town?” Just then, the service started, and the two friends agreed to catch up after the church service.

After church service, the conversation continued in earnest and Arike informed Didi that she recently relocated to the village having retired, and realised it was in her best interest to enable her to keep her body and soul alive. She needed to make the best of her gratuity and pension. She was cutting her coat according to her size.

Didi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly …” Haba, that is no way to think. There is so much potential in this town. Why don’t you navigate the opportunities and let us see how I can assist? I retired as a mid-level manager of a multinational corporation about eight years ago and returned home. I now wish I had done so much earlier. While at work, I identified the tourism potential of our town and decided to go into the hospitality business and gradually expand into resort facilities, and honestly sis, I am not complaining one bit. I am much more comfortable than when working and I currently manage a staff strength of about sixty persons.” As Arike alighted from Didi’s jeep, she promised to consider more deeply, the opportunities available in the environment  especially since she had been promised assistance.

In the confines of her room, Arike berated herself for:

1. A lack of preparation for her retirement. She had worked hard and put her all into her job. The hard work had paid off in terms of promotions and the heights achieved but she had neglected preparation for the period after. No side engagements, or investments.
2. She ignored her God-given talents which can be made to generate income for her. Her artistic gift could certainly do well in a souvenir shop for the teeming tourists. She also knew the terrain like the back of her hand and had the historical information for the various tourist sites. She could set up a company of tour guides to take tourists around for a fee.

She thanked God and Didi under her breath as she started realising the potential to which she was previously blind. She had previously banished herself to a lackluster life but now she was filled with vigour and the will to seize available opportunities. She determined to pray for God’s direction and guidance as to which of the options to pursue, before approaching her children and Didi for help. Indeed, her town was a “Tale of two cities”…The drab one as previously perceived and the exciting one full of potential as she now saw it. It certainly depends on which side of the coin you are viewing!

Love

Havilah