My daughter shared with me how, not very long ago, she agreed to accompany my mother to an event and was making arrangements to drive her there, only to be told “I’ll drive my own car because you young people don’t know how to party, and go home too early for me!!”

Gina, Kesley and Mama

She refuses to ride into the sunset. Instead, she makes the rays search her out as she moves about quickly and stays abreast of modernization. She is on Facebook, regularly uses email, calls the US on her Magic Jack and can out pace anyone I know at any mall!!!!  Here she is (with me and brother Kelsey) only some 5 years ago, participating in the DC carnival, where she “rushed” the full 3.6 miles in 100 degree weather!!! (her second time participating!!!)

Since I relocated to the US in 1998, the one regret I have is not being able to spend more time with my family, and most of all, my precious mother. Although I see her fairly often (I did tell you she travels  and is always on the go right?), I yearn to see her on a daily basis and often dream of the time I will again be able to pull up at her front door on any day at any hour! (Off course I would have to call first to make sure she is actually there…… )

Gloria Mortimer

Anyone who knows my mother, knows that she is the original Fashionista and her grandchildren have nicknamed her the “Fashion Police” !

As I reflect on my relationship with my mother, one of the fondest is the times, when I was a teenager and most of my siblings  were of at college or boarding school. On many Saturday’s, we would get dressed up for a shopping trip. Two stores that stand out are Del Janes and G R Sweeting, where I absolutely delighted in the new outfits we would walk away with.  Although as I recall, most of the items were for the Fashionista herself!!!! This did not matter since we  were making fond memories and I was learning at the feet of the master!

Speaking of learning, as a role model to all of her children and grandchildren, and anyone else who had the good fortune of interacting with my mother, her organizational skills, social skills, ability to work through any situation successfully and, her general sound work ethic, have proven to be an integral part of who I am and I am grateful for the example.

If I could become only a fraction of the woman that my mother is, I would deem myself successful and in every encounter with her, for the rest of my life, I will continue to learn from her as she continues to evolve and grow, no matter what life throws her way and I have yet to meet a better role model.

"Wonder Gloria"

These lyrics from the song SuperWoman by Alicia Keys, could indeed have been written with my mother in mind!

“Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes, I’m a Superwoman

For all the mothers fighting
For better days to come
And all my women, all my women sitting here trying
To come home before the sun
And all my sisters
Coming together
Say yes I will, Yes I can

Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am”

On this day when we celebrate mothers, I am so grateful that I am spending time with my brother Kelsey, niece Autise (we are attending her graduation from college)  and three of my favorite mothers: my sister Denise, sister-in-law Monica and my hero, my mother Gloria Mortimer, nee Burrows!

Celebrating graduation from Newberry College, Newberry SC - Gloria Mortimer, Kelsey Mortimer Sr., Autise Mortimer, Denise Mortimer, Monica Weathers Mortimer, Gina Mortimer Storr

God Bless and Happy Mother’s Day to every mother and every woman who has nurtured any child.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory, no one can steal”

When I came across this quote, it was as if it had been written for me as it confirmed my feeling that the heartache I was feeling, would never heal and that it was alright to feel that way. More importantly, it reminded me that the many cherished memories I had of my father, could never be taken away. From that moment on, I have been able to live with the heartache because the memories are like a balm that soothes.

So, although I frequently can still hear the calm voice of my daughter on the other end of my cell phone as she gave me the news around 9:00pm on April 16, 2005, my memories have replaced my pain, anger and tears and, I celebrate Daddy’s life in all that I do.

• His enthusiasm has helped curb my cynicism in a world that is sometimes far to harsh.

• His loyalty has fostered in me a fierce sense of committment to and protection of those whom I count as friends and family.

• His sense of peace still calms me when I find myself getting  worked up over anything.

• His personality reminds me always that no situation warrants ugliness, ever!

• His gentleness, despite his stature, keeps me in line when I find myself wanting to lash out. (OK so if you’ve seen me angry you know I don’t always succeed but I have come a long way……)

• His kindness has translated to my own desire to share my blessings.

• His love of God assures me that we will meet again!

Don’t get me wrong, I am no saint and far from perfect (no noise from the peanut gallery please ) but having been nurtured, loved and taught by my father, Lester James Mortimer Sr, has given me a great foundation and as I continue on my own journey, I know that he continues to intervene when I need him the most!   (Just ask the guy on the other end of the phone when I found an  “error – in their favor – on one of my bank accounts.  Thank goodness that my vision of Daddy’s cool demeanor suppressed the ugly I felt rising up in me…….)

You can learn more about daddy at www.lestermortimer.com and leave a tribute of your own if you wish.

Daddy, you are missed and memories of you are cherished.  R.I.P, until we meet again.

According to Wikipedia, one definition of friendship is:

“the cooperative and supportive relationship between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, affection, and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis.”

After three weeks she came out of the coma and although she could not talk, her great writing skills let us communicate and we were definitely expecting to pick up where we left off, on out next Third Saturday get-together.

But, it was not to be.  Instead, she left us on Friday, February 19th, the day before our next scheduled 3rd Saturday outing and our next  get-together was when I said goodbye publicly  at her memorial service.

Here is what I had to say:

At the end of our last outing on January 23rd, Cathy gave me a gift, and when I opened it I said: “I hope this comes with some money” “ She responded: “well, at least it if doesn’t have money in it, it sure looks like you do!”

(Here is that beautiful gift – which I shared with those present)

Gift from Cathy

When I lost my father to a traffic fatality in 2005, I was always searching for something, anything, to help me get through another day. Into about the third year, surprisingly, that something came in the form a simple quote found on a headstone in Ireland:

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory, no one can steal”

When I came across this quote, it was as if it had been written for me as it confirmed my feeling that the heartache I was feeling, would never heal and that it was alright to feel that way. More importantly, it reminded me that the many cherished memories I had of my father, can never be taken away. From that moment on, I have been able to live with the heartache because the memories are like a balm that soothes.

All of you that are struggling like I am, I encourage you to think of Cathy as she lived and draw from the memories that she created with each of you.

As for me, I am so grateful that I have so many awesome memories, as Cathy and I go way back!  As an impressionable  freshman at  Bethune-Cookman, Cathy, who was a Sophomore,  was one of the first persons I latched onto and although I could not know it at the time, I realized many years later that even then, God had put her in my life for a reason. Ours was a friendship started as many college friendships do: we were both among the” finest” young women on campus and had attracted a pair of roommates, who brought us together for double dating!

Although we seemed at first to be as different as day and night since I was loud and boisterous while Cathy was quite the introvert, it soon became clear that we were in fact “Kindred Spirits”. I stand here today because in many ways, my friendship with Kathy saved my life! You see, as a young, carefree teenager set loose on the big bad world, I did not always make the best decisions. After a few scrapes and stumbles, I soon came to appreciate that Cathy was not just my friend, but she was my Sister.  As a result, I often paused to ponder what Cathy might think of my actions and because I never wanted to disappoint her, it helped shape who I am today.

Sadly, as often happens, once Cathy left Cookman then a year later I returned to my native Bahamas, we lost touch. However, I can tell you that Cathy continued to influence me in many ways as I thought of her often and drew on the wisdom and examples she had provided.

Fast forward to September 2007:  after encountering Cathy’s sister at an event, it was game on! She and I reconnected and discovered that there was now a mere 45 minutes between us! Our first “reunion” was in Lakeland and her husband can attest to the fact that we were like college kids again and, have not only stayed in touch, but spent some awesome times together on a monthly basis! We became the 3rd (or 4th) Saturday Divas.

As we exchanged visits in our homes, we also made some pretty interesting discoveries: we both had the exact same comforter set; we both had a bathroom decorated with a shell theme and we both had two garments that were identical.   And off course, as we planned our outings, we discovered that we both love to shop!

Over these last two years of 3rd or 4th Saturday outings, Cathy and I shared our deepest secrets and our wildest dreams for the future. We cried together and laughed together. In fact, we had so reconnected that we had a joke that people who did not know us probably thought we were a “couple” instead of just friends since, it was not uncommon for us to be seen walking in a hug or holding hands intimately. You see, we could not help ourselves, as the “Kindred Spirits” had come home!

As I close, let me say again how thankful to God I am for the time to reconnect and, as I started, I want to leave you with another powerful quote: “Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”

And remember: cry all you want as, “there is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief……..and an unspeakable love.”

Cathy White Worthen 1954 - 2010

CATHY MY FRIEND, MY SISTER, REST IN PEACE ALWAYS

I still feel such a deep sadness and am still shocked by the loss. Mostly, I yearn for more great times with my friend and, for the part I would play in the fulfillment of her newly expressed dreams. However, because I know she would insist that I continue to live with laughter and using my passion to make a difference, I am able to move forward with her wind at my back!

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin

I must say, my enthusiasm for this event did not materilize until I relocated from my native Bahamas, to the United States. First as a member of Olivet Episcopal Church in Alexandria VA and now as a member of St Matthias Episcopal Church, Clermont Fl.

Delicious pancakes

While I must confess I don’t remember much about how we acknowledged this day back home, here in the US, Anglicans celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a delicious Pancake supper and I have not missed one! (I know, I know, it should not be about the pancakes and it’s not – just made me want to check it out and, I truly do like the overall event and not just the pancakes!!!)

So, bedsides the delicious pancake dinner, what is Shrove Tuesday all about?

Shrove Tuesday is a term associated with the United Kingdom and its Anglican traditions, especially Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the United States, for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, Christians are expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD.

I am looking forward to enjoying the Pancake dinner at my local church this evening, and using the upcoming Lenten season as a time of reflection and growth.

God Bless.

I have personally had Jameel’s Seagrape and Guava Cheesecakes and they are absolutely to die for! Made using locally grown seagrapes and guavas, the texture and flavor are like nothing you have tasted anywhere else!

If the rest of his cuisine is even remotely close in its tastiness, then I know he has a huge hit on his hands!

As a native Bahamian, I am always thrilled when I learn of any young Bahamian taking the initiative to dictate their future by venturing into the world of entrepreneurship.

Congratulations Jameel and all the best.

You can find Jameel on Facebook and view his latest videos below:

Sir Hilary Beckles

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES is in the process of conceiving how best to deliver a major conference on the theme Rethinking And Rebuilding Haiti.

I am very keen to provide an input into this exercise because for too long there has been a popular perception that somehow the Haitian nation-building project, launched on January 1, 1804, has failed on account of mismanagement, ineptitude, corruption.

Buried beneath the rubble of imperial propaganda, out of both Western Europe and the United States, is the evidence which shows that Haiti’s independence was defeated by an aggressive North-Atlantic alliance that could not imagine their world inhabited by a free regime of Africans as representatives of the newly emerging democracy.

The evidence is striking, especially in the context of France.

The Haitians fought for their freedom and won, as did the Americans fifty years earlier. The Americans declared their independence and crafted an extraordinary constitution that set out a clear message about the value of humanity and the right to freedom, justice, and liberty.

In the midst of this brilliant discourse, they chose to retain slavery as the basis of the new nation state. The founding fathers therefore could not see beyond race, as the free state was built on a slavery foundation.

The water was poisoned in the well; the Americans went back to the battlefield a century later to resolve the fact that slavery and freedom could not comfortably co-exist in the same place.

The French, also, declared freedom, fraternity and equality as the new philosophies of their national transformation and gave the modern world a tremendous progressive boost by so doing.

They abolished slavery, but Napoleon Bonaparte could not imagine the republic without slavery and targeted the Haitians for a new, more intense regime of slavery. The British agreed, as did the Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese.

All were linked in communion over the 500 000 Blacks in Haiti, the most populous and prosperous Caribbean colony.

As the jewel of the Caribbean, they all wanted to get their hands on it. With a massive slave base, the English, French and Dutch salivated over owning it – and the people.

The people won a ten-year war, the bloodiest in modern history, and declared their independence. Every other country in the Americas was based on slavery.

Haiti was freedom, and proceeded to place in its 1805 Independence Constitution that any person of African descent who arrived on its shores would be declared free, and a citizen of the republic.

For the first time since slavery had commenced, Blacks were the subjects of mass freedom and citizenship in a nation.

The French refused to recognize Haiti’s independence and declared it an illegal pariah state. The Americans, whom the Haitians looked to in solidarity as their mentor in independence, refused to recognize them, and offered solidarity instead to the French. The British, who were negotiating with the French to obtain the ownership title to Haiti, also moved in solidarity, as did every other nation-state the Western world.

Haiti was isolated at birth – ostracized and denied access to world trade, finance, and institutional development. It was the most vicious example of national strangulation recorded in modern history.

The Cubans, at least, have had Russia, China, and Vietnam. The Haitians were alone from inception. The crumbling began.

Then came 1825; the moment of full truth. The republic is celebrating its 21st anniversary. There is national euphoria in the streets of Port-au-Prince.

The economy is bankrupt; the political leadership isolated. The cabinet took the decision that the state of affairs could not continue.

The country had to find a way to be inserted back into the world economy. The French government was invited to a summit.

Officials arrived and told the Haitian government that they were willing to recognize the country as a sovereign nation but it would have to pay compensation and reparation in exchange. The Haitians, with backs to the wall, agreed to pay the French.

The French government sent a team of accountants and actuaries into Haiti in order to place a value on all lands, all physical assets, the 500 000 citizens were who formerly enslaved, animals, and all other commercial properties and services.

The sums amounted to 150 million gold francs. Haiti was told to pay this reparation to France in return for national recognition.

The Haitian government agreed; payments began immediately. Members of the Cabinet were also valued because they had been enslaved people before independence.

Thus began the systematic destruction of the Republic of Haiti. The French government bled the nation and rendered it a failed state. It was a merciless exploitation that was designed and guaranteed to collapse the Haitian economy and society.

Haiti was forced to pay this sum until 1922 when the last installment was made. During the long 19th century, the payment to France amounted to up to 70 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Jamaica today pays up to 70 per cent in order to service its international and domestic debt. Haiti was crushed by this debt payment. It descended into financial and social chaos.

The republic did not stand a chance. France was enriched and it took pleasure from the fact that having been defeated by Haitians on the battlefield, it had won on the field of finance. In the years when the coffee crops failed, or the sugar yield was down, the Haitian government borrowed on the French money market at double the going interest rate in order to repay the French government.

When the Americans invaded the country in the early 20th century, one of the reasons offered was to assist the French in collecting its reparations.

The collapse of the Haitian nation resides at the feet of France and America, especially. These two nations betrayed, failed, and destroyed the dream that was Haiti; crushed to dust in an effort to destroy the flower of freedom and the seed of justice.

Haiti did not fail. It was destroyed by two of the most powerful nations on earth, both of which continue to have a primary interest in its current condition.

The sudden quake has come in the aftermath of summers of hate. In many ways the quake has been less destructive than the hate.

Human life was snuffed out by the quake, while the hate has been a long and inhumane suffocation – a crime against humanity.

During the 2001 UN Conference on Race in Durban, South Africa, strong representation was made to the French government to repay the 150 million francs.

The value of this amount was estimated by financial actuaries as US$21 billion. This sum of capital could rebuild Haiti and place it in a position to re-engage the modern world. It was illegally extracted from the Haitian people and should be repaid.

It is stolen wealth. In so doing, France could discharge its moral obligation to the Haitian people.

For a nation that prides itself in the celebration of modern diplomacy, France, in order to exist with the moral authority of this diplomacy in this post-modern world, should do the just and legal thing.

Such an act at the outset of this century would open the door for a sophisticated interface of past and present, and set the Haitian nation free at last.

Sir Hilary Beckles is pro-vice-chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, UWI.

“finding a solution to a problem”

“a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner”

This year, I am choosing to take both and turn them into action.

As to the first, the problem I will undertake to help finding a solution to is the issue of computer illiteracy in adults. To this end, I am in the process of creating some simple teaching guides which I will make available to anyone who wants them, free of charge.

As for the second definition listed, I will implement a plan to improve my spiritual, mental, physical and financial well being. Specifically, I have started doing the following:

• for my spiritual well being: have devotions and prayer every morning before staring my work day
• for my mental and physical well being: do Yoga and exercise once every week day for a minimum of 30 minutes
• for my financial well being: create and live following a more well defined budget and, reduce my debt.

I know. I know. Easier said then done. However, because I have been working on these components of my life before now, I have a head start and the new year only serves as another motivation to stick with it. And besides, now that I have put it “out there”, of course I cannot afford to fail!

So, if you have decided on a New Year resolution and want to share, please feel free and maybe we can support each other along the way.

Happy 2010!
See you at the top.

I especially remember how special Christmas was to my father. While we were off attending colleges abroad (a total of five of us at one time!) my father was adamant about one thing: we all had to be home for Christmas. Because my mother worked for an airline at the time, we got to travel the world fairly unrestricted so most holidays, we found ourselves all over, visiting families of room mates and college friends. However, inevitably a few days before Christmas, most of us could be found sleeping in some airport, on the way to Nassau for Christmas!

When I first relocated to the US in 1998, I was adamant that this was a time for me to create new Christmas traditions with my new family. Well, that lasted exactly one year and after being completely miserably away from Nassau and the rich traditions of my extended family, Jim and I have made the trek to Nassau for every Christmas since!

This year is no different and we are excited and looking forward to all that Nassau and our families have to offer for the holidays.

Despite the fact that we will be gone, I still take the time to “dress up” our home for the holidays. Right after I clear the table following our Thanksgiving meal, I begin the transformation! I use the traditional decorations at the center of which is my collection of angels and ornaments from every trip that I have ever taken since college and, a few from family members and friends from their own travels.

This year, my newest ornaments are:

Hand crafted Australian Ornament

Handcrafted Wooden Bell from Australia

This ornament, was purchased at the Darling Harbour Plaza in Sydney Australia during my trip in November. The wood is from the Australian tropical forests and is called Golden Satinwood (Rhodosphaera rhodanthema). It is hard like maple and its golden color is natural. Australian artisans create a lot of arts and craft from natural woods found throughout the dense tropical forests found throughout the country.

Pres Barack Obama

Obama bust from Washington DC

Purchased on my trip to DC in September 2009. This is my second “Obama” ornament and I am an avid supporter of the President whom I met in 2007! I also own an “Official” ornament that the campaign issued in 2008. (have to keep an eye on that one whenever I have visitors while my tree is up!) I look forward to lots of presents from the President, especially health care reform!

White House 2009 Ornament

Official 2009 White House Ornament

(a gift from one of my sisters-in-law). This is my second White House ornament and it is has the following inscription on the back: “There will be a great Christmas tree gorgeous in its beautiful trimmings, all sorts and conditions of dolls, and toys of every description. 1894 – 1st Christmas tree with electrical lights” The sitting president in 1894 was President was Grover Cleveland.

Lester Mortimer Sr 1933 - 2005

Although my ornament collection is by far my absolute favorite part of my preparing for Christmas, there is one other item that ranks right up there. My singing Christmas farmer! Say what? You have to hear him and know the story to understand why: My very first Christmas as a resident of the US in 1998, I came across this funky little singing farmer who belts out the most annoying tune whenever there is any motion around him! I usually place him in an inconspicuous place so that he catches people of guard with his country tune!

Well, my father, the late Lester Mortimer Sr, when he first heard this, (he and my mother visited for New Years) was absolutely taken (he loved anything Christmas!) and had me search for another. I don’t remember if I ever did find another one but I do know that of all the Christmas memories I have, my singing farmer brings me the most joy as every time I hear him sing, I can picture Daddy’s broad smile as he sang and danced along! Check out  my Singing Farmer below and share a smile!

Did I mention my ornament collection? Here are some of my favorites:

• First three are related to our national festival – Junkanoo
• Conch shell angel is made from local conch shells and was bought on the island of Abaco, Bahamas
• The glass ornament is in memory of my father
• The stocking ornament is made from corn starch and was bought at a Christmas Festival in DC when I first moved to US

Junkanoo Dancer

Junkanoo Angel

Junkanoo Cowbells

Conch Shell Angel

In Memory of my Dad

My First Christmas in the US - 1998

As if the singing farmer was not enough, I stumbled across this hilarious Christmas item buried in the back of a gift store somewhere in Florida. (Yeah, I’m “that” kind of shopper!) The lovely Asian couple that ran the store apologized for “hiding these colored people” but explained that not many of “us” shopped there and they had it for some time, intending to send it back as it was just a sample!!!! I promptly offered to “take it of their hands” and paid only a few dollars for it.

Well here they are, starring on You Tube no less!!!!!:

Wishing you a peaceful and memorable Christmas

The question is: what are you thankful for? And, how do you show gratitude?

As for me,

• I am thankful first for just being alive and healthy! I have more than one friend or relative who had health related challenges recently and although I am not 100 percent at the point of healthiness that I should be, my recent physical examination indicates that my health continues to improve over where I was at my last physical two years ago. I am showing my gratitude for the blessing of good health by being more committed to eating healthy and exercising – that does not include while I am in the Bahamas for the Christmas holiday

• I am also thankful for my family, beginning first with my wonderful husband Jim, who continues to be supportive and committed. His unconditional devotion makes every day worth getting out of bed for (except on Saturday’s of course when he gives me breakfast in bed and I curl up and watch movies all day I hope that Jim knows through my actions that I am equally committed and love him unconditionally as well.


Raeh. Ryan and Keva

• Next, I am thankful for my three children. Since they all live in the Bahamas, I am forced to love them at a distance. I am thankful though that they are each healthy and even with their struggles, are blessed and continue on there individual path to greatness! I show my gratitude for my own children by making myself available to other young adults who need support while they are away from their families attending college.
  

  My Mother with some of her grandchildren

• I am especially thankful for my mother, who at 75 continues to amaze me and, I live for the times that I get to hug her and elicit the sweetest laughter! I show my gratitude for my mother by following her example of giving, through the support Jim and I provide to a friend abroad.

• The rest of my immediate and extended family bring me so much joy and I am thankful that it is still a pleasure to be together, when I see the disintegration of so many families around me. I show my gratitude for my wonderful family by opening my home to others.

• Finally, I am thankful for the loyal friends
  

  Kathy and Al

  that I have collected over the years, some of whom I have reconnected with after 20 or 30 years! I show my gratitude for my loyal friends by being loyal myself and by lending my support in any way that I can.

How do you show your gratitude?

The words of one of my favorite hymns says it all:

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now, Let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give thanks !

Happy Thanksgiving.

In-flight tracking - over Asia

You may already know that I traveled to Australia recently, along with my sister-in -law, to meet up with my sister, who was there on business. My sister-in-law lives in the Washington DC area and I live in Central Florida, so we planned to connect in Los Angeles, for the 14 hours flight to Sydney Australia.

Excited and exhausted, I sat in the lounge area, waiting to board my flight to LA. My phone rang and the almost inaudible voice on the other end, was my sister-in-law’s, telling me she had missed her flight from DC and, that the airline personnel with whom she was in touch, indicated that there was no way she could get to LA that night and therefore, would not make the flight from LA to Sydney.

“Attention passengers, FLIGHT 837 to LA are now ready for boarding……….”

I called my hubby who had dropped me off at the airport a few hours before, and relayed the news. He and I agreed that I should go ahead and my sister-in-law would catch up with me the following day.

I boarded my flight and was uneasy about the prospect of a 14 hour flight to Sydney solo and was beginning to gather my things since I decided that I would wait until the next day as well. Then it happened: I remembered something I had read during my morning meditations that morning.

Me, My Sister-In-Law, My Sister (day of arrival)

Immediately, my mood changed and I proclaimed aloud, much to the surprise to those in my immediate hearing area, “The devil is a liar and God, you said in your word that if I am faithful, you will grant the desires of my heart. Furthermore God, you said: When 2 or more agree for something, (I just knew she was also praying) it will be done. I therefore claim the miracle of having my sister-in-law in Los Angeles and on the flight to Sydney, along with me!”

After my talk with God, I settled, in and fell fast asleep. I woke when we were about an hour from our destination and the excitement that I felt, at believing and knowing that my sister-in-law was on her way to LA, made me giddy and I was grinning and I am sure, looked quite silly to anyone who cared to notice.

The instant the attendant announced that we could turn on our phones, I did so and gave a shout when I heard my sister-in-law’s message: “I am on another flight that arrives in LA at 9:05pm at gate 86. Please leave me a message letting me know which gate we are leaving from for Sydney!!!”

Now the rest of the story: once my sister-in-law showed up (45 minutes before departure) out of breath having raced from one gate to the next, I learned the specifics of her ordeal: she had missed her flight because after a delay, she ended up at the wrong gate, of another flight to LA and when they called the flight, it was discovered that her own flight was at a different gate. She raced to that gate but they had just closed the door!

Her efforts to get a seat on the LA flight at the gate where she had inadvertently ended up, proved unsuccessful, despite there being many available seats.  (I’ll spare you the ugly). Additionally, her phone call to customer service resulted in a brutal: THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO AND YOU WILL HAVE TO BE ISSUED A NEW TICKET to go to LA the next day!.

Sydney Opera House

This is where the story gets interesting: Apparently, at the seemingly exact moment when I was proclaiming my promise from God, she was praying! At that very moment, there appeared, a young lady who ordinarily would not have been approached since, she was not wearing the common airline uniform. This “angel” stepped up to the counter and beckoned my sister-in-law and  said “I can help you”. Notice what I said: “I can help you” and not “how can I help you?”!!!

She then proceeded to do the necessary processing and, my sister-in-law was soon on her way.

But wait, the story does not end there: when I was providing my travel documents at the desk in LA (before my sister-in-law arrived), I was issued a new boarding card (due to an equipment change) which separated us. I expressed my dissatisfaction and was told there was nothing they could do since all the seats in my ticket class were already assigned. Deflated, I consoled myself with the knowledge that at least I still had a window seat and my sister-in-law would be on the flight as planned!

3 Sisters - Katoomba Mountains - Australia

Once my sister-in-law showed up, I accompanied her for the presentation of her travel documents and we again mentioned the separation of our seating. We were told sadly that there were no seats together but, to make up for the disappointment, we were both upgraded to a class that meant we had more leg room for our flight!!!! Needless to say, God was with us again since, once we were on board, it was clear that my damaged knee could not survive 14 hours in our original class of seats,  where even with our short legs, neither of us  could completely stretch!

Although we were not seated together, we were within a few rows of each other and, our upgrade provided more than enough room and we were not charged a penny. Besides, with a 14 hour flight, we had enough time to meet up and hang out in the aisles and crosswalks!

I could tell you of so many more blessings that came our way during our trip but suffice it to say: GOD WAS WITH US AND I KNOW THAT HE STILL ANSWERS PRAYERS!

Be Blessed!