To a friend

As I write this post, I am thinking of a dear friend. About two months ago when I told her my plans to attend graduate school in the near future she asked me about my writing. I told her I am on a break for now. But a few weeks after that I started writing poems again. Her prodding helped me work on a handful of poems, some of which I’ll read at a poetry event next month.

I want to tell this dear friend (you know who you are) that your friendship is of infinite value.

It is wonderful to have friends that care about you enough to ask simple questions. You never know where they may lead. Or how you can help another reach for possibilities by being a friend.

It is this simple joy of friendship I want to share with all who read my words today. Continue to be a friend. Ask questions and encourage each other along. The journey of life is much sweeter when we walk together and build those people-connections we share.

A Hopeful Morning

As I type this blog post, the sun is beginning to rise. I can hear insects humming, a neighbour’s hen and the hum of the fan.

Mostly though it is quiet and a remarkably beautiful morning. A few days ago marked 20 months since I became a mother. A week ago marked 13 years since I got baptised. Today marks 2 days since my husband started a new job. It is a time of contemplation and new beginnings for my family.

I realise as I take quiet time to reflect, like time spent this morning talking to you, that the world is a remarkable place. More so than we might naturally think.

If we will truly look, we will find small and sometimes great miracles in our lives. If we will look, we will see moments when a divine hand reordered our steps and placed us in the right direction in the right moment.

We will find opportunities for us to see that we are not alone. Our life is not by accident — even if our parents did not quite plan things out 🙂

Our Heavenly Father is aligning our steps. If we will look and see and feel — find time to think and know — we can escape the sometimes blinding busyness that plagues us.

What if, we spent more time to know ourselves? Just a minute to breathe in the fresh air of mornings?

I feel blessed to have discovered this small yet profound blessing, of quiet time.

Life is for Living

Last month I celebrated 18 months of motherhood. I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone by since I gave birth to my darling Niya.

Much of the experience has been one of tremendous growth. When you have a little one depending on you, you learn how to push yourself beyond barriers and overcome obstacles.

You learn to be patient and focus on what’s important.

As a mother, life gets harder it is true. But the opportunities to grow are truly extraordinary. In the past year and a half, I’ve seen the greatest growth professionally, for instance. I learned to do hard things and keep my eyes focused on my own path, without comparing it to others.

I’ve breastfed Niya in meetings, woke up 2am and worked till daylight. I’ve negotiated with clients and landed fantastic projects. I’ve learned to focus on my unique skills, set ambitious goals and call down blessings from heaven.

I know that God’s timing is perfect. He shows me constantly how perfect his will is. And I have no doubt that he guides my life and puts me in places I need to be.

It is a wonderful feeling to know he is there — that he loves me and wants the best for me. Sometimes he pushes me in directions I did not expect but they are always exciting new beginnings.

I see great adventures ahead and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because life is for living.

An Unexpected Reunion

Two weeks ago I had an amazing experience. Helene, my friend from Sweden (I like to call her my Swedish Mom) visited me in Jamaica. The trip was not supposed to happen. Or at least, neither of us expected it. But circumstances aligned themselves and before long, her cruise ship docked in Freeport, Montego Bay and we were hugging and chatting while I tried to brush up on my Swedish.

At Doctor’s Cave Beach, we spoke a bit about how we met. It was back in 2010 when I was an exchange student. Heléne was the first person to chat with me that Sunday when I visited church in Sweden for the first time. She had a warm smile. She made me feel welcomed. Months later, I spend a few weeks in her home and got to know her even better.

Recently, while talking to my sister about my reunion with Heléne, she said,

“Tricia, you’re always meeting great people!”

It’s true. I’ve been blessed to meet amazing people and make wonderful friends. Heléne, is definitely one of them.

But I don’t think I am anything special (though I must admit, I’m naturally friendly). Really, we can all make connections and build friendships as we reach out a little bit more, and like Heléne, smile!

My beautiful Swedish Mom

Sam Sharpe Square

Heléne, Niya and I

Reggae World Gift Shop

Doctor’s Cave Beach

The Joy of Motherhood

If you think you know true exhaustion, try being a mom. The work is never-ending. You go on and on.

A few minutes ago, I woke up from a nap. It felt like a decade of sleeping, though it was only 3 hours. Yes, three hours! I was that tired and didn’t even realise when I went to bed. Thankfully, Niya was even more tired and still is sound asleep.

The truth is, motherhood is the hardest work. Yet at the same time, the most satisfying. It is sacred to be a mother. There is no describing the soul-stretching fortitude it can bring to anyone seeking more purpose and direction.

Sis Barrett, A Legacy of Love

Tonight I want to pay a tribute to a dear sister of mine — a church sister. Her name is Millicent Barrett. But most people will think of her as Mother, Friend, a Hand that was always there, or a Smile never to be forgotten.

Her memory is tender to me. She was at my wedding, made my bouquet. She made sure all the decorations (and even her skirt) was lavender on my special day! Sis Barrett was my Young Woman President when I first joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember she gave me my first talk on modesty soon after I started visiting church.

She was gentle and kind — a woman who worked hard and did not complain. A woman with boundless energy who was always doing good.

When I returned to Jamaica with baby Niya in a time of stress and transition, she was one of two church sisters who came by to clean my house. You can’t imagine how happy I was for her service.

So when I heard the news I was devastated. On August 7, a day after she’d dropped me to the bus stop after church — I heard she’d been shot. About an hour later I got another call. She was dead.

I want to take this time to pay tribute to Sis Barrett. I want to take the time to talk about her legacy of love.

I also want to share how important it is for all of us to take the time to serve and never take one day for granted. I know we hear this message often with the death of a loved one.

But we are living in serious times. Let us all be prepared to live full lives despite the turmoils in the world around us. Let our hearts be full of love. Let’s add light to a world that often seems so dark with political, spiritual and ever-present conflict.

What acts of kindness will you give to those around you. I know I want to be more loving and giving because of the life Millicent Barrett lived.

Love,

Tricia.

 

 

9 Months of Motherhood

My Niya is 9 months! It is hard to believe how fast time went by but I am so very grateful I’ve been able to spend every day at home with her. I’m learning so much — about life, my potential and developing my talents as I do my best to be a good mom. Motherhood is the greatest university.

Conquer Your Mountains One Climb at a Time

Today I had missionaries visit my home. They’ve been a tremendous help. Every week we discuss specific ways I can access God’s power in my life and always, as I accept their challenge and follow through, I see the promised blessings unfold.

 

This time around one of the missionaries, Elder Harrah, said something that struck me while we spoke about disappointments:

 

“God sees what’s on the other side of the mountain.”

 

Human

I am not made of glass

nor candle sticks

my back is no garden wall of flowers

What Does it Mean to Endure?

Some days are a crushing weight

on my shoulders

But I am too busy to breathe

too busy to feel sorry

the nights are the hardest

when cluttered thoughts refuse to sleep

But I endure