One day, I'd tell my children...

I usually like to utter these words of advice to my friends "You gotta know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away and know when to run". For the ole school heads, the new ole schoolers or those in between, this is a song recorded by the Country Music Legend himself, Kenny Rogers. Man I remember my auntie setting the radio dial to Cross Country Radio and you dared not move it! Hours of Country music pounded the airwaves as the lyrics permeated your membranes, took its place and never left.  Oh these were the days when the cassette reigned supreme! Know what am talking bout? Ohh you had to rewind that mug to catch your favourite lyrics and flip it over to the 'B' side to hear the continuation of the epicness. Lol.

I'd tell my children how, eventhough, by time I had made my entrance into the world, the 'Record' was on its way out, but I sure relished the experience of turning my momma's radio to 'Phono', set that record in, lift that needle through the air, cutting  through wind and crossing all barriers of time and space, laying it down to hear that scratch sound, scratch and sandpaper crumpling sound- but not quite, as it was much more delightful on the ears. Ohh man!

I'd tell them that I've loved music my entire life, possibly  since I was in my mother's womb, because  I remember my love affair with old dub and dancehall, roots, rock, reggae; ska, kaiso, soca, ragga soca! Ohhhh, man we had it going on with my young self. I remember the first time I sneaked my Uncle's cassettes out his bag and listened them old dubs and dancehall. I remember the riddims immortal 'Buy out', then 'Bookshelf'. I would tell them, back them when I was looking for an identity I found it in music, from wholesome to the downright degrading, but now, I found my identity in Jesus. I would tell them how to appreciate music and how to value the art of expressing one's self.

I'd tell them about life!

The things that make us individually beautiful.

It was shortly after church that I decided to greet my "old lady friend" at church. I find that I have a great affection for the older folk, filled with knowledge, wisdom and love. Anyway, after I had finished updating her on school and life, I said my goodbyes and was about to leave. Suddenly, she says, "That tooth you have makes you even more beautiful, it's like your own little unique thing". I beamed.

This tooth was not like the others, It didn't grow in line with them and started from a much higher region in my gum than the others.  I often thought it made my smile look off and I felt hella self conscious!

I remembered someone once told me that, but, it was a dude and quite frankly, dudes say stuff. However, hearing it again from someone who saw me like a petal in full bloom, her little "St. Vincent daughter as she would say". Someone who had nothing to gain by telling me that. Boy, a little compliment goes a long way.

Many a times, things which make us different from the rest, which make you stand out are often what makes you special. Things which you may consider ugly and useless make you beautiful in the sight of others and God.

Think what a dreadfully boring world it would be if all of us were the same- totally devoid of creativity and diversity- yuck!

Embrace your differences, difference is good!

Raining Faith?

It was a bright and sunny day and so, I decided to do two loads of laundry. The weather in Barbados (at least where I live) can become a bit unpredictable. It can start out hot like Chili peppers and then out of nowhere comes the rain and wash the spider out. Alas, as I was getting the second batch of clothes ready, I looked up at the sky and saw the rain clouds beginning to form.

Oh noo they didn't. Not on my sunny laundry day you won't. So I exercised my Christian faith and decided to pray and declare that the rain shall not fall today- No Sah!

Now I'm trying my best to keep my faith and checking the clouds from my bedroom window lol. Soon after, I decided to open the door which leads to my 'backyard nature-approved dryer' and behold, a felt sprinkles! Sprinkles? No not sprinkles on top of cake and fudge sundae sprinkles but rain sprinkles- eek( Excuse my brief Archie Comics moment there)!

Naturally, I did what anyone would do and I went to see which clothes were already dry. Child I snatched them up (i.e my all black load) faster than a piece of food that had fallen to the ground hoping the 3 second rule still applied! Huray for me! I took them up and placed them in the garage area to dry.

Surprise, Surprise! Hours after that sprinkle and small downpour not a single shower or mini-shower of rain came and the ones that had been left behind, are currently "getting it in" with the sun!

Smh! So was God trying to teach me a lesson in faith? Had I flunked it miserably, just a bit, or gotten a C?

Oh the joys of nature and the lessons it can teach!