First, let me say that God is so good! It continues to amaze me at how God works in my life. The people that he has weaved so beautifully into my life are so very special to me. I want to tell you about one such person here in Barbados, whose name is Jennifer. I am just now writing this blog entry even though it happened two months ago at Christmas, because I was waiting for a time that I could devote to writing the blog up right. Because this event merits my full blog effort and not something that is hurriedly posted. I hope you enjoy this.
I had started going to a workout center called Garfield Sobers Complex with my next door neighbors, David and Tonya. That is another blog story to tell on how I met David and Tonya. But for now, suffice it to say that David and Tonya were very gracious to me and offered to pick me up each day and take me with them to work out. I immediately was drawn to a 9 o'clock class that lasted for one hour. David and Tonya preferred to work out with the machines and weights and they also loved to walk outside around the complex. So, sometimes my class would end before David and Tonya were through with their walk and I would wait for them on the front steps of the gym.
So, one day I was waiting on David and Tonya and I heard this lady behind me talking with her coworker about her son who had just been diagnosed with ADHD. She was so distraught and was talking and wringing her hands about how this could be and what was she to do. I just listened, I doubt they were even aware that I was sitting there. My heart went out to this woman - I hurt with her - because I knew what she was going through. You see, my son James, also has ADHD. And we discovered this when James started 1st grade. It was a very hard road for James and for his parents. Lots of struggles that we went through over the years - but, I am happy to say that James finished with a Global Supply Chain Management degree from Texas A&M with an emphasis in Finance. James has done well and he learned how to manage his life and to make the most of it. During those first years with James, I did a lot of research on ADHD.
So, when I saw David and Tonya leaving the gym - I got up from the steps that I was sitting on and for some reason, felt very compelled to give this lady some words of encouragement. So, I did. I turned around and told her that I too was a mother with a son that had been diagnosed with ADHD and that I wanted her to know I understood what she was going through. And if there was one thing I could tell her, it would be to give him a lot of attention and love. This lady thanked me and I turned around and left.
About a week later, I was again waiting on David and Tonya and this time - I waited out in the parking lot away from the front steps of the gym. I was sitting on a curb by the parking lot with my back to the gym. I heard this voice behind me - asking how I was doing - and I turned around - and it was this mother. Her name is Jennifer. We talked for a while about everything. She started telling me what she was considering doing with her son and I started telling her what I had done. And that was that - instant friendship was made.
One day, I don't remember the exact conversation - but, she said something about church or something and I looked at her and asked "Are you a Christian?" She said yes and then I realized how come we were both so instantly connected to each other. I realized that God had put us together. Isn't it amazing how he works in our lives, when we are the least expecting it?
Around Christmas time last year - 2010, Jennifer asked me one day if I was interested in going to a very special event that happened in Barbados on Christmas morning. I was ecstatic. Yes, of course, I was interested. To do something that was a true custom in Barbados and wasn't connected to the tourism industry. I love to experience the life, people, places and food of all the places that I have lived in the last 3 years. I have learned so much through these experiences.
Jennifer, started building this event up to me every time I would see her at the gym. She told me that I needed to have a hat! Oh boy, for all of you that know me, I like to blend into a group and not stick out and be noticed. I have never, ever worn a hat (except maybe when I was a child at Easter). She told me I needed to wear a nice dress and to be prepared for something totally awesome. She kept telling me this event was at the park. I had no idea at the time, where she was talking about. It was what they call Queens Park. Jennifer told me that I would need to get up early - like at 5 am early on Christmas morning! Yikes! I knew that we were picking James and Ali up at the airport on Christmas Eve night at midnight and I knew by the time we got their bags and got home and got settled, we would not be in bed before at least 2 am. But, I wanted to go so badly, that I was determined to do it. I asked James, Gary, Ali and Alisha who would like to go with me - and Alisha said she would.
I had a dilemma though - I didn't have a hat! I was mentioning this to one of my lady friends with my church small group time and she said she would loan Alisha and I two of her hats. And that was that! She loaned me a red one and Alisha a black one. Jennifer said she would meet us at the front entrance to the Queens Park at some time - I actually can't remember when it was now - let's say 6:00.
I successfully found Queens Park and parked the car and was on time with Alisha and our hats!
Jennifer was right. It was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced before. It was enchanting. It was magical. It was fun. It was uplifting. There was excitement and electricity in the air. The Barbados Police Band was playing in the carousel. The water fountain was beautiful and the grounds were well manicured. And there were people coming into the park very nicely dressed - with their hats! It reminded me of the olden days in the South where the ladies would come out with their hats on and the gentleman were walking by their sides. (Gone With The Wind?) It was wonderful. The police band played lots of Christmas music.
A mother strolled in with her daughters by her side, all smiles. Adorable little girls with frilly dresses on and then the ribbons in their hair to match and the tiny little bracelets on their arms to match. And their fathers carrying them so proudly. Beautiful, stately women walking with gorgeous satin dresses. Men, dressed in tuxedos - all different colors - and so very proud. Whole families dressed in the same colors. Everyone was happy.
I had asked Jennifer if I could bring a camera and take pictures. She said "yes, of course." I asked did she think people would mind if I took pictures of them and she said, "They WANT you to take pictures of them!" So, I did. I'm not a very good photographer. Most of the pictures that I took - for some reason - were of peoples backs. But, I hope you can get a feel for what the morning was like.
Jennifer invited Alisha and I to her home after we had strolled around in the park. She served us several different kinds of delicious cakes and our first ever taste of a sorrel drink (which now is one of my favorites). This is a custom in Barbados to have lots of cakes and sorrel made for people to come and go out of each other's homes. Just fun and visiting all day long. A week later, Jennifer invited Alisha and I to see a singing Christmas tree - no cameras were allowed - but, it was also just an awesome experience. The church was packed with standing room only. When I arrived at the church, I asked a gentleman outside if he could tell me where to enter the church. He said, "I'll do better than that, I'll take you to a very special seating area." He took us to the very front of the church! The program had not only the singing Christmas tree but also dancing and drama. Very well orchestrated.
I will forever have it in my memories of how God brought two friends together, if only for a season, to share in life and all of its ups and downs. And how very fortunate I am to have been given this opportunity to sample Christmas morning traditions in another country far, far from my own.
THE HATS!
THE CHILDREN!
THE HAIR!
THE PEOPLES!
Wow! Great story, Vickie - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete