TwoCents | Through The Storm - by Ayebaibomo Praise Atalawei

Through the storm: a Liverpool anthem The rain poured down like a relentless curtain, shrouding the city in a misty veil. The wind howled like a chorus of lost souls, threatening to consume everything in its path. But amidst the turmoil, Emily, a young Liverpool native, stood tall, her eyes fixed on the horizon. She had always been drawn to the sea, to the wild and untamed power that lay within its depths. Today, she felt a sense of kinship with the storm, a sense of shared turmoil. As she walked through the wind and rain, Emily felt the weight of her own struggles bearing down on her. She'd lost her job, her relationship had ended, and she felt like she was walking through a storm with no end in sight. The pain and fear had been her constant companions, whispering cruel taunts in her ear and making her doubt her own strength. But then, she heard it – the faint sound of singing, carried on the wind. The words were indistinct, but the melody was hauntingly familiar. "When you walk through a storm, hold your head up highAnd don't be afraid of the darkAt the end of the storm, there's a golden skyAnd the sweet silver song of a lark" The words echoed through Emily's mind, a reminder of the anthem that had been sung by generations of Liverpool fans. She felt a surge of pride and determination, a sense of connection to the city and its people. As she walked on, the singing grew louder, until Emily saw a group of people huddled together, singing in defiance of the storm. They were Liverpool fans, gathered together to support their team, and to support each other. Emily joined them, her voice blending with theirs as they sang of hope and resilience. The storm raged on, but they stood strong, a testament to the power of community and determination. As the song came to an end, Emily felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but she also knew that she wasn't alone. The storm would pass, the sun would shine again, and she would emerge stronger, more resilient, and more determined than ever. "You'll never walk alone," the fans sang, their voices carrying Emily forward, into a brighter, more hopeful future. As Emily walked on with the group, she noticed the diversity of the people around her. There were young and old, men and women, all united by their love for Liverpool and their determination to support each other. A young boy, no more than ten years old, sang with all his might, his eyes shining with excitement. An elderly woman, her hair gray and her face lined with age, sang with a voice that was strong and clear. Emily felt a sense of pride and belonging. She knew that she was part of something bigger than herself, something that transcended the storm and the struggles of everyday life. The group walked on, singing and laughing together, until they came to the banks of the River Mersey. The storm was beginning to subside, and the sun was breaking through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the city. As Emily looked out across the river, she felt a sense of peace and tranquility wash over her. She knew that she still had challenges ahead, but she also knew that she was ready to face them, armed with the knowledge that she was not alone. The group fell silent, mesmerized by the beauty of the scene before them. And then, as if on cue, they began to sing again, their voices carrying across the water, a testament to the power of hope and resilience. "When you walk through a storm, hold your head up highAnd don't be afraid of the darkAt the end of the storm, there's a golden skyAnd the sweet silver song of a lark" As the song came to an end, Emily felt a sense of closure, a sense of new beginnings. She knew that she would always carry the memory of this moment with her, a reminder of the power of community and determination. And as she walked away from the river, Emily felt the warm sunshine on her face, and she knew that she would never walk alone again.

Beyond The Storm