Where It All Began

Today our school has its Black History Celebration. Without a second thought I represented in the black, green and gold’ of my native country 🇯🇲🇯🇲. That’s just who we are. My ‘black story’ has its roots in this small but exceptionally amazing Island. Coincidentally, today February 28th is celebrated on the island as Jamaica Day. All things Jamaican. So much of who I am is entrenched in my Jamaican roots. So often you can recognize a Jamaican by our unmistakable pride in this little piece of paradise. Often described as loud and proud, we have never and will never disown our heritage. Our nation is riddled with imperfections but when it matters most we will stand united against the world.

Echoing some words from a previous post IslandGirl : ‘I believe that I was born where I was meant to be born. God makes no mistake. I am an island- girl through and through. We do come with a special flavor – a certain je ne sais quoi. [Mysterious and complex to many.] Sometimes we come with big personalities or quite calm and cool. Sometimes a mixture of both. Like a ‘silent river ‘, we run deep. We tend to ‘ wear our heart on our sleeve’. Many times, what you see is what you get.‘

Who I Am

Her struggles tell the story of mine
Resilient and courageous
If there’s a way
We find that way
We laugh in the storms
Needing no permission
To exude joy

This is who I am
A blend of bitter and sweet
Resilient and tender
Nothing in me backs down
When the fight involves my destiny
Never mistake my calm for weakness

Laughter rings
From deep places within
Smoothing some of my jagged edges
Faith in a Father above
Heals my splintered landscape
His whispers remind me
I belong This is who I am

From one human being he created all races of people and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live. [Acts 17:26]