Would your friends and family describe you as a patient person? What moment required you to be patient this week? As I woke up on Monday morning, I looked forward to enjoying the peacefulness found in town on a public holiday.
However, I heard a knock on my door at 5am from my landlord asking me to accompany her to town so she could be the first in line at the ATM. I had totally forgotten that, on the first of every month, thousands of grant beneficiaries flock to town to get their money. Immediately I knew that the thought of staying in bed until 8am would have to be postponed until the next public holiday.
I had no problem with assisting my landlord – she is a good mother to two boys – but during the afternoon I heard her calling my name again – this time, to tell me that she needed me to draw more money for her in town. The long queue at the first ATM I came across at the mall made me to search for two other ATMs, hoping to find less people, however, it was not to be.
Finally, I remembered an ATM in Calderwood Street that always seemed less busy.
I approached it, I could see no one standing next to it. I walked a little faster. The excitement of not having to wait at a long queue grew. When I reached the ATM, I was greeted by a message on the screen that the ATM was temporarily out of service.
Much to my disappointment, I made the long walk back to the mall to start queueing at the first ATM I came across during this tedious exercise. The people were literally taking one step at a time over a very extended period.
It took me an hour to get the money, but it was at that moment that I was once again reminded that we all need patience in our everyday experiences and in dealing with the people around us.
