To Tell My Mother’s Story

In 2018 I visited Jamaica, after nearly twenty years, with my dear friend Christine. It was a bittersweet experience and I was quite literally disoriented at times trying to reconnect dots as floods of memory, emotions and associations overwhelmed me. So much had changed of my beloved island…But she was as gorgeous as ever! (I write of this visit in three extended earlier posts)* – ‘Going Back Home: Pt. 1- Why you can’t “just do it”‘ , ‘Pt.2- Unpacking the Baggage‘, ‘Pt. 3a- Dining to the Tune of “Auld Lang Syne‘.

However, the sweetness of precious friends, like Maxi and Inez Small had survived the years and they drove us across country in search of my mother’s hometown, Sandside, Port Maria, St. Mary. I needed a heart connection along with details and visuals to undergird the book I have commenced writing based on her humble origins and lessons I am sure that the Divine Story-teller has woven into hers, and now my own, life-journey. Please pray for me as I resume this writing project, which was interrupted by ‘covid world’ and our current migration experience from the US to Europe.

Meanwhile, fellow member of the Jamaican diaspora, New Creation worship Singer, and Jazz musician in her own right, Cheryl Spence-Lindsay, featured Port Maria, St. Mary on day 46 of her ‘Round the World in 60 days’ FB celebration of her 60th Birthday this year! I hope you enjoy its unique flavor as much as I did.

www.facebook.com/cherylinsong/videos/232029482081568/

Author: Denise S. Armstrong

I am Denise Stair Armstrong - worshipper. My purpose is to glorify God by enjoying Him in all of His Creation, among His People, His Bride, the Church; accentuating His glorious Bridge of reconciliation — the Cross of Jesus Christ — through words laced with His Truth, and cast abroad in the world He loves, and died and lives again to save. I was born and raised Jamaican, where I also received my formal education at Shortwood Teachers' College and the University of the West Indies, specializing in English Language & Literatures in English. The remainder of my education was gained by homeschooling our three wonderful children (Joseph, Charis, and Timothy) and parenting them with my husband Claude. My passion is worship expressed primarily through writing inspirational pieces that urge readers not to miss how much the Lord has "cramm'd earth with heaven", to quote Elizabeth Barrett Browning. My heart is to encourage community, in the best sense of the word, through exalting the cross of Calvary. I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, gardening, theatre and ballroom dancing (only with Claude!) and digging into the Word of God. View all posts by Denise S. Armstrong