An article that I wrote for our newsletter at my Business Unit
November 26, 2008
__________________________________________
It is that time of the year refered to as the Holidays: the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. There are a number of holidays celebrated during this time. These include Thanksgiving, Christmas, Eid al-Adha, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Day. Some of these are celebrated by larger sections of our population than others but each serves a purpose to its followers.
Thankfulness or gratitude is an attitude that serves us well to adopt. We have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is to be living in this great country. The lifestyle and opportunities that is available to even the least privileged in the United States is a significant improvement over that in most other parts of the world. We can be thankful for freedom, peaceful elections, health, the comforts of home, our spouses, our children and extended family. Be thankful for delicious holiday meals and time to celebrate with our friends and family. We can also say a prayer of thanks for our active and inactive Service families that represent freedom in this country and all around the world at this time. I encourage you to take some time and list the things that you are thankful for and teach your kids to do the same.
In the Unites States, Christmas, of course, is the largest and most significant celebration of the holidays. Christmas is, first and foremost, a religious celebration. It has also come to include secular celebrations and economic significance for the retail businesses. Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year because of the celebrations, the music, the religious significance and the memories that come back each year.
Christmas is also a time to be thankful. Even though we were poor, my mother, with the resources she had, made Christmas special and significant for us. I always remember those times each year. Because I did not know any different, I thought that we had the greatest Christmas times with my seven brothers and sisters and dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins. I did not realize how poor we were since that is the only life I knew. It was also one of the two times a year we got new clothes and shoes. When school started in August we got new school uniforms and schools shoes. At Christmas we got one new set of church clothes and one pair of church shoes. They had to last then entire year. My mother never allowed us to think that we were poor and never complained about what she did not have, at least for me to hear. I now understand how she could be so thankful with so little and still find enough to share with neighbors who had less.
I remember growing up in the Caribbean and having a warm Christmas but wishing I could experience snow and a white Christmas. Now I live in Utah and wish for a warm Christmas again with a palm trees on the beach while watching the white Christmas on the television. This is the second Christmas I do not need a telephone line my mother to say, Merry Christmas. I now tell her in my prayers. The memories are just as real as before.
So in the spirit of the holidays, to all who celebrate Eid, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and those who do not celebrate, I wish you: Happy Holidays!
However for those of us who celebrate Christmas in its original form, there is only one way to say it:
Merry Christmas!
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 4, 2007
My Mother Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
I am reposting this blog as a Tribute to my mother on his Mother's Day 2009:
On July 24th, 2007 my mother, Madeleine Leonce, nee Martelly, went to be with her Lord. She lived on this earth for 82 years. She never finished high school. She did not leave us a fortune nor did she leave us debt. Her name is not on any buildings or in any international journals. Yet, I cannot think on anyone I have ever met in my life that has ever had a more profound effect on my life than my mother. Today, I want to introduce her name and memory in the world through my blog.
Madeleine Leonce did not give us a fortune, she gave us the ability to dream and to work for our dreams. She did not give us houses and land, she gave us hope that our tomorrow will be better than today. She did not finish high school but she taught us that ignorance is not substitute for intelligence and not all knowledge is contained in books. She taught that talent does not guarantee success and that success is no substitute for integrity. Though she never attended a seminary, Madeleine's ministry touched more people in more places than she ever knew.
I was given the privilege to write her eulogy on behalf of my family. THe experience changed my life one more time. I want to share it with the world.
Eulogy: Madeleine Leonce, nee Martelly
September 15, 1925 – July 24, 2007
She Did It Anyway
She was born into a family that loved the Lord and taught her to love God, her family and her fellowman. Life came at her quickly. From what we know, her childhood in Mon Repose, St. Lucia was exceptional: she had a strong family support, her grandfather and grand mother, mother, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, many cousins and close family friends. They farmed, raised crops and animals, provided for the family and sold to others for livelihood.
At an early age, Madeleine, began to take care of her siblings and watch over them. She also spent as much time as she could with her grandfather, Pap Savaoui, who was a spiritual giant, a healer and a man of faith. Madeleine got her seeds of unshakable faith from him. She was unable to complete secondary school but she was educated anyway.
When the disappointments of life left her with five young children, she raised them anyway. When other relationships left her to raise a family of eight with little money and a small home, she raised us anyway making roads where none existed.
In her early days in Barbados, she started a business importing and selling crops from St. Lucia with little resources but she did it anyway. She did it in Carrington Village and Tweeside Road, while sent her kids to school, she cooked, she cleaned and ran a business. Eventually she became a seamstress and made clothes for numerous people and family members for all occasions. When people could not pay she made their clothes anyway.
When she gave her heart to God fully, she knew that God was calling her to change her lifestyle. She had little money and no home, yet she got a new government house anyway. When her children and other family members broke her heart at so many critical times, she loved us anyway and continued to remind us that God is love but he will not be mocked.
When mouths were hungry and cupboards were bare, she knelt in prayer, sent us to school and went to the kitchen anyway. Even though there was nothing in the house in the morning, by the evening God gave her food anyway.
The house was small, the rooms were full but she took in strangers anyway.
When her dreams were dashed and she had to make changes, she dreamed anyway.
When we would sit around and talk and play games, she told stories and taught us to dream anyway. When she had no money for Christmas presents for her children, she made them with her own hands anyway.
When we had no bus fare to get to church or school, we went anyway. When we had no money for youth camp, we went anyway. When her boss told her that she would lose her job if she went to her son’s wedding in Trinidad, she went anyway. When family and others criticized her for claiming to be a Christian when her girls were having children out of wedlock, she served God anyway.
When the parents in the neighborhood would not send their children to church with us, she went and invited them to her house and told them of Jesus’ love anyway. Despite that fact that she has not conducted a Junior Fellowship for many years, we have heard of at least one person who is now a Christian and conducting her own Junior Fellowship. The ministry continues anyway.
When her health began to take her strength and her vision, she was continued her times with God anyway. When sickness zapped her strength, she still wanted to go to church anyway. When the doctors said that her body was failing and the cancer was spreading, she continued to live anyway.
Today the day has come to stand by her side and honor her passing to her heavenly home; this is not her lying here, she’s living in eternity anyway.
Among the things she taught us is this:
You may chase a dream that might never come your way
Dream it anyway
You may love someone with all your heart yet they may choose to walk away
Love them anyway
God is great, but sometimes life’s not good.
When we prayer, things don’t always turn out like we think they should,
We do it anyway.
Sing, dream, love
Do them anyway.*
Mummy, we heard you
We get it now
You did it and we are here anyway.
(*Excerpts from Anyway, by Martina McBride, Wake Up Laughing, BMG Music, 2007)
On July 24th, 2007 my mother, Madeleine Leonce, nee Martelly, went to be with her Lord. She lived on this earth for 82 years. She never finished high school. She did not leave us a fortune nor did she leave us debt. Her name is not on any buildings or in any international journals. Yet, I cannot think on anyone I have ever met in my life that has ever had a more profound effect on my life than my mother. Today, I want to introduce her name and memory in the world through my blog.
Madeleine Leonce did not give us a fortune, she gave us the ability to dream and to work for our dreams. She did not give us houses and land, she gave us hope that our tomorrow will be better than today. She did not finish high school but she taught us that ignorance is not substitute for intelligence and not all knowledge is contained in books. She taught that talent does not guarantee success and that success is no substitute for integrity. Though she never attended a seminary, Madeleine's ministry touched more people in more places than she ever knew.
I was given the privilege to write her eulogy on behalf of my family. THe experience changed my life one more time. I want to share it with the world.
Eulogy: Madeleine Leonce, nee Martelly
September 15, 1925 – July 24, 2007
She Did It Anyway
She was born into a family that loved the Lord and taught her to love God, her family and her fellowman. Life came at her quickly. From what we know, her childhood in Mon Repose, St. Lucia was exceptional: she had a strong family support, her grandfather and grand mother, mother, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, many cousins and close family friends. They farmed, raised crops and animals, provided for the family and sold to others for livelihood.
At an early age, Madeleine, began to take care of her siblings and watch over them. She also spent as much time as she could with her grandfather, Pap Savaoui, who was a spiritual giant, a healer and a man of faith. Madeleine got her seeds of unshakable faith from him. She was unable to complete secondary school but she was educated anyway.
When the disappointments of life left her with five young children, she raised them anyway. When other relationships left her to raise a family of eight with little money and a small home, she raised us anyway making roads where none existed.
In her early days in Barbados, she started a business importing and selling crops from St. Lucia with little resources but she did it anyway. She did it in Carrington Village and Tweeside Road, while sent her kids to school, she cooked, she cleaned and ran a business. Eventually she became a seamstress and made clothes for numerous people and family members for all occasions. When people could not pay she made their clothes anyway.
When she gave her heart to God fully, she knew that God was calling her to change her lifestyle. She had little money and no home, yet she got a new government house anyway. When her children and other family members broke her heart at so many critical times, she loved us anyway and continued to remind us that God is love but he will not be mocked.
When mouths were hungry and cupboards were bare, she knelt in prayer, sent us to school and went to the kitchen anyway. Even though there was nothing in the house in the morning, by the evening God gave her food anyway.
The house was small, the rooms were full but she took in strangers anyway.
When her dreams were dashed and she had to make changes, she dreamed anyway.
When we would sit around and talk and play games, she told stories and taught us to dream anyway. When she had no money for Christmas presents for her children, she made them with her own hands anyway.
When we had no bus fare to get to church or school, we went anyway. When we had no money for youth camp, we went anyway. When her boss told her that she would lose her job if she went to her son’s wedding in Trinidad, she went anyway. When family and others criticized her for claiming to be a Christian when her girls were having children out of wedlock, she served God anyway.
When the parents in the neighborhood would not send their children to church with us, she went and invited them to her house and told them of Jesus’ love anyway. Despite that fact that she has not conducted a Junior Fellowship for many years, we have heard of at least one person who is now a Christian and conducting her own Junior Fellowship. The ministry continues anyway.
When her health began to take her strength and her vision, she was continued her times with God anyway. When sickness zapped her strength, she still wanted to go to church anyway. When the doctors said that her body was failing and the cancer was spreading, she continued to live anyway.
Today the day has come to stand by her side and honor her passing to her heavenly home; this is not her lying here, she’s living in eternity anyway.
Among the things she taught us is this:
You may chase a dream that might never come your way
Dream it anyway
You may love someone with all your heart yet they may choose to walk away
Love them anyway
God is great, but sometimes life’s not good.
When we prayer, things don’t always turn out like we think they should,
We do it anyway.
Sing, dream, love
Do them anyway.*
Mummy, we heard you
We get it now
You did it and we are here anyway.
(*Excerpts from Anyway, by Martina McBride, Wake Up Laughing, BMG Music, 2007)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
When Getting Older Becomes Painful
I remember the time when I so much wanted to be older. Being young was too restrictive; too many things that were not for kids; places we could not go. I wanted to be older; to be free. My dreams were calling me. I could not wait to finish school and get on with it. I never really wanted to leave home. I had a poor but great home and friends and was in a good band. To pursue my dreams I had to leave.
I got through college and got married. We started our home and family together. Our kids came along and have been hugh blessing. My wife improved my life tremendously over the years. However, one secret of getting older evaded me until recently. As I got older, my parents, mentors and spiritual leaders also got older. I was not prepared for that. I think I expected them to stay the same because I needed them to stay the same. They were my pillars of strength. How could they get ol? Some have even crossed over.
My mother is the strongest person I have even known. She has more faith than anyone I have ever met. She has survived the pain of unfaithful men while raising siblings and eight children. She has survived severe hardship. Yet she never gave up, she loves her Lord, evangelized an entire community basically by herself. She has fed and clothed more people than some non-profit
organizations.
Today, the ravages of age has invaded her body. Her walk is now slow, her physical strength is fading, her mind wanders to places that bring her joy, her heart they say is weakened and cancer is is migrating through her body. I wish I could be twenty again. I don't really want to grow up. Being under her direct rule would be a great thing right now.
My father (not the sperm donor but the one who fulfilled the role) used to run races regularly. He mentored and discipled over one hundred and twenty young men. He shares in our lives, knows our wives, our hurts, our joys and or struggles. He found me in a church on the island twenty six years ago and planted the words of a dream maker in my heart. My life has never been the same. He is a man of integrity, a faithful father and husband. His spiritual strength would cripple Samson.
Today, the ravages of age has invaded his body. Though his invasion is not as extensive as my mother's, he stills experiences his symptoms.
Solomon says that there is a time for everything under heaven (Eccles. 3:1). Maybe we can find a way to freeze time. If they have to grow up too then let's stay young.
I got through college and got married. We started our home and family together. Our kids came along and have been hugh blessing. My wife improved my life tremendously over the years. However, one secret of getting older evaded me until recently. As I got older, my parents, mentors and spiritual leaders also got older. I was not prepared for that. I think I expected them to stay the same because I needed them to stay the same. They were my pillars of strength. How could they get ol? Some have even crossed over.
My mother is the strongest person I have even known. She has more faith than anyone I have ever met. She has survived the pain of unfaithful men while raising siblings and eight children. She has survived severe hardship. Yet she never gave up, she loves her Lord, evangelized an entire community basically by herself. She has fed and clothed more people than some non-profit
organizations. Today, the ravages of age has invaded her body. Her walk is now slow, her physical strength is fading, her mind wanders to places that bring her joy, her heart they say is weakened and cancer is is migrating through her body. I wish I could be twenty again. I don't really want to grow up. Being under her direct rule would be a great thing right now.
My father (not the sperm donor but the one who fulfilled the role) used to run races regularly. He mentored and discipled over one hundred and twenty young men. He shares in our lives, knows our wives, our hurts, our joys and or struggles. He found me in a church on the island twenty six years ago and planted the words of a dream maker in my heart. My life has never been the same. He is a man of integrity, a faithful father and husband. His spiritual strength would cripple Samson.
Today, the ravages of age has invaded his body. Though his invasion is not as extensive as my mother's, he stills experiences his symptoms.
Solomon says that there is a time for everything under heaven (Eccles. 3:1). Maybe we can find a way to freeze time. If they have to grow up too then let's stay young.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
