Gardening 101:: Introduction

Gardening has become a pseudo hobby of mine by force.  The thing is, my Mother just loves gardening and everything that has to do with dirt.  It really is an obsession of hers, and by default, I am her helper/assistant; so that's how the 'by force' part comes in.


As far back as I can remember, as a littler girl in Jamaica, my Mom had a garden.  A flower garden in the front, lots of potted plants on the veranda and in the back yard, fruit trees and vegetables were cultivated. It was no different when we migrated to America.  Even when we lived in an apartment, she had pots growing something.


When she bought our first home in America, same thing, nothing much has changed besides the climate we live in. The front of our home is a spectacle to behold in the spring, summer and fall months. Beautiful flowers are grown and arranged, some perennial and others annual. 

She receives regular compliments from passers by about the beauty of her flower garden. Mommy never fails to attribute all to the Glory of God  and always uses the opportunity to point the praises to  His Magnificence and Creation.


The back yard is where she still cultivates all kinds for food (tomatoes, green peppers, corn, hot peppers, eggplant, cabbage, kale, variety of herbs, calalloo, squash, pumpkin, potatoes, beans) and the list goes on.....every now and then she tries to see if tropical things will grow, they actually grow but as soon as the season changes they die and never produce.


I am excited to explore life lessons from being a Gardner's helper has taught and is still teaching me and looking forward to sharing in the upcoming Gardening 101 series.

 

About JAMAICAN Mothers

For anyone who has been following/reading my blog over the years, you would know that my Mommy and I have a very close relationship. I have paid many tributes to her in several posts over the years.

This year however, as Mother's Day approaches, I wanted to share with you from a drama perspective of what the typical Jamaican Mother is like  most especially when raising teenaged children.

Jamaican Mothers are typically loving and protective of their children. HOWEVER when our Mothers get Mad Vex ANGRY with you as a child it's a different story all together. The experiences and relationships are different when we get older though.

Can you identify and or relate to any of the common themes in the video from your experience growing up?

 

 

Things Jamaican Mothers Say

 Bella Blair 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamaican Mothers

Yaad Boys

Diary of a Mad Jamaican Mom

Jamaican Sinting

Raising children is no easy task; May God strengthen and bless all Mother's around the World doing their best and beyond to love and train thier children.

Have a Happy Mothers Day!! 

'A Mother's Love' Concert

I mentioned in my last post that my mom and I were attending a concert for Mother's day featuring, Gladis Knight, Tasha Cobbs, Tamela Mann, Marvin Sap and  James Fortune.

The concert was being held at the Arena downtown and was to start at 5pm, so after having a delicious dinner prepared by me :-), we got all dolled up and ready to go.  The sun was shining so rich and bright, a gorgeous afternoon.

We did not anticipate so much traffic, apparently there was a ball game going on in addition to various other events including the one we were attending.

I was praying that we would find sufficient parking close to the Arena, and we did! literally right next to the building with parking spaces available. God is good.

There was a loooong line to enter as each person had to have there purses/bags inspected before entering and tickets processed etc.  Needless to say we arrived in our seat at 5:30 just when Tasa Cobbs was ending her song and all we heard was Brre-eak-Chain, BREAK!  You know how she can minister to those chains.  I wasn't too disappointed because I attended a concert a few years ago that she participated in while ministering this song.

Next up was Marvin Sapp, he sang a medley of his songs and gave testimonies in between on when he was experiencing homelessness and various obstacles he faced physically and spiritually.  He was very engaging, energetic and we enjoyed his 'ministration'

After Marvin was Tamela Mann, I enjoyed Tamela as well.  Her style in dress is always so cute and her hair is always on point.  Any way, she sang a couple songs that I wasn't too familiar with but of course she ended with Take me to the King and I can only Imagine her most two notable songs of recent time.  She introduced her daughter that was one of her back up singers, who co-sang a song with her.

We breaked for intermission and next up was Gladis Knight.  She was the main show.  This lady looks so good and worked the stage with so much class. I didn't know the songs but a lot of the 'older' ladies knew them very well :-).  My mom teard up and shed a few tears when she sang 'The Way We Were.'  This was very touching for me because growing up, every now and then my Mom would sing a few lines to this song:  

Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories of the way we were.
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
smiles we gave to one another
for the way we were

 

I love you Mommy.....may we continue to make beautiful memories while God continues to color our lives.   

Thanks for This Gift

Happy Mothers day to all Moms and Moms to be!!!!

This afternoon my mommy and I will be attending 'A Mother's Love' gospel concert featuring Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, James Fortune, Tasha Cobbs and Gladys Knight.  This is going to be such a treat, the weather is currently sunny and warm too, a beautiful spring day.

Lord I thank you for the Gift of my Mother we differ in personalities like night and day yet we are so similar at the same time.  God, I have been more than blessed by her ministry and sacrifice she has poured on me over the years.  My heart does not have enough space to sufficiently thank you for choosing her to be my Mother and to thank her for taking her responsibility to levels that others could only dream of to have in/from a Mother.  Father bless her, God fulfill her life, continue to strengthen and encourage her soul and lift her spirits to sour in your satisfaction, favor and blessings all the days of her life.  Thank you for the gift of My Mother.

                                           A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men

'Play' on Emotions

If you haven't already figured it out, I LOVE music. As a teen I sang in several music groups and choirs. In recent years, I sang  solo's at church. Growing up I would drive my mom crazy at times singing often at the TOP of my lungs trying to imitate a soloist I heard at church and I would go on and on... She would say Nadia Favored!......stop, alright STOOOP!! 

I also remember as a little girl crying when I heard certain songs because they made me think how much I love my mom.  Growing up my mom would tell me she love me All The Time. So when I was little whenever I heard the song, I just called to say I love you and a few others, I would cry because it flooded emotions of how much I love my Mommy.

The melodies and lyrics of well composed songs can pull at our emotions. The perfect lyrics and melody often speak to my heart, express my current feelings, sooth my soul, bring me joy.  It all depends on where I am emotionally.

I use to post the lyrics to songs until I recently figured out how to embed the song/music itself from YouTube in my post.

I consider this space to be my personal release of theraputic sorts. Music is a part of who I am, and Is often my preferred method of expressing my innermost feelings/emotions.

Today, the song I'm 'playing' speaks ... I need an Angel...

Queen of My Heart

Yesterday, I stumbled across my baby/childhood album.  I have not looked at these pictures in a few hears now.  Tears of  overwhelming emotions flooded my soul and face as I saw pictures from back in the 80's with me and my Mommy.   They jolted me back to a time in history that was beautiful.  Life is still beautiful but there is something about the beauty of history and time.

Mommy, your love for me has been immeasurable.  You have always made sure I had the absolute comforts of life.  You worked hard to provide for us, you cooked delicious meals, washed our clothes, combed my hair so beautifully, read to me, played with me, hugged me, loved me, taught me how to love our Lord. Because of your prayers, encouragement, tears, scolding, and God's Favor I achieved academically and continue to rise in my career. All the Lady like qualities that I display are because of you.  I love the Lord because of your example.  Mommy you are strength, you are determined, you are giving, you are loving, you are a Miracle.

I want to make your golden years as comfortable as you made my blooming years. I want to go the extra mile and be a better daughter. At this stage in my life, looking at those pictures jolted me into a sphere of realization of your sacrifice of love in growing me, providing for me and making me comfortable.  You are a TREASURE. Though we have our differences, God will continue to grant us all we need to bloom and blossom in our relationship.

My prayer:  God, I thank you forever for the gift of my Mother.  Lord you have been with us and have brought us a mighty long way. You have been our shelter in times of storm, your have been our shield and defense, your have been a way maker.  You have been our PROVIDER.  You have honored my Mother in ways that only you could.  Now Heavenly father, bless my Mother, touch her heart/mind body and soul.  Let your peace, joy and love overflow in her life.  Let her atmosphere ooze with your Holy Spirit presence.  Please continue to provide for her every need.  Cover her with your blood, grant her the gift of eternal life in your Kingdom when your come. Let us experience the joys of heaven together and we will forever be grateful. Thank you for being with us all these years our King, Father and Friend. I love you Lord, Thank you, Thank you THANK YOU, In Jesus Name I pray......Amen.

Boyz II Men song " A Song for Mama"

You taught me everything
And everything you've given me
I always keep it inside
You're the driving force in my life, yeah

There isn't anything
Or anyone I can be
And it just wouldn't feel right
If I didn't have you by my side

You were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were grey
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort me
And no one else can be what you have been to me
You'll always be you always will be the girl
In my life for all times

[Chorus:]
Mama, mama you know I love you
Oh you know I love you
Mama, mama you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like
Tears from the stars
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin' you is like food to my soul
You're always down for me
Have always been around for me even when I was bad
You showed me right from my wrong
Yes you did

And you took up for me
When everyone was downin' me
You always did understand
You gave me strength to go on

There were so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me
And say to me I can face anything
And no one else can do
What you have done for me
You'll always be
You will always be the girl in my life, ooh oh

[Chorus:]
Mama, mama, you know I love you
Mama, mama you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like tears from the stars
Mama I just want you to know your love is like food to my soul
Never gonna go a day with out you
Fills me up just thinking about you
I'll never go a day with out my mama

God Favors Me.....#2

I thank God for His continued mercy, grace, protection, deliverance and FAVORS that He displays in my life.  Hence the name of this Blog 'Highly Favored' 

What kind of person would I have become without the Mother that God appointed for me?  I am not sure, but I am grateful for the person I am because of my Mother. 

In High school, my Senior year English class had a lesson on writing rhythmic poems.  The topic of my poem was.... 'My Mother'  It was such a beautiful and Truthful poem I wish I could find it.  I remember some but not all the words but the few lines I remember makes me smile wide and proud. I would post it but don't know where to find it..I'ts been many years since High School.

Moving forward though, there are so many notable things to write about my mom and her influence in my life especially towards God and spiritual matters.    

My Mother taught me:

How to pray, not by repeating words, but by demonstrating in her own life over the years, how to tarry in the presence of God in prayer and fasting for a breakthrough.

How to depend on God by being a faithful thither.  Even as a single mom, she was faithful in tithing at times even going above the 10%without blinking or second guessing and even now God's window of blessing continues to pour out.  I have followed her example and GOD is Faithful concerning His promises. So many testimonies.....One of which is, I never received financial aid or needed student loans nor did I get a scholarship for tuition (undergrad or graduate school).  I have up to a Master's degree and no student debt.  Praise be to God for his financial blessings and a hard working Mother who was determined that her child would not have school related debt.

How to be a Lady.  Ever since a tiny tot, my mom has always taught me how to be a lady (how to sit properly, speak properly, comport myself, etc.)  Through the years...individuals seem to be drawn to me, even as a child and the mantle of Favor has followed allowing many doors to open up for me.

Lord I thank you for the Gift of my Mother.  She has been a strong tower in my life and without her encouragement, prayers, dedication, example, tears, determination, testimony, expectations, I would not have known how to acknowledge and appreciate you.  I would not have amounted, achieved or succeeded.  Please continue to teacm me how to honor my Mother in all ways and at all times.

I am Highly Favored.