The Good Old Days

Bring back da good ole days, let the children run and play, Teach them how to stay in school, live by the golden rule,

Bahamian singer Sweet Emily belts out with feelings the lyrics in her nostalgic ode to the past, Bring Back Da Good Ol’ Days. It is a reflex action for me to turn up the radio and sing along when I hear this catchy tune.

During my childhood I can remember hearing my parents refer many times to "da good ol’ days". The days when all of the neighbors were your friends, the days when you could go shopping, leave your doors opened, come back and nothing would be missing. They also talked about taking lunch to school in brown paper bags, owning one pair of shoes and one suit of church clothes…and the list goes on.

When my parents talked about the good old days it sounded surreal. One pair of shoes? One suit of clothes? Do we really want to go back to "da good ol’ days?" Definitely not! However, I appreciate the sentiment behind the song.

Through the pain of the present it often seems as if everything in the past was brighter, happier, more peaceful, and maybe it was. As the holidays approaches I feel myself yearning for the good old days of just four Christmases ago; a time when it seems in my mind that all was well.

When life in the here and now proves difficult, the call of the good old days sounds strongly in my ears and, if I allow myself I can sink into depression yearning for a time that has already passed by. However, when I was living what now seem like “the good old days” I probably reflected on an earlier time in my life and thought it more perfect.

What happened to those days the good old happy days, we need to bring them back …

To a certain extent I agree with Sweet Emily. The good old days were good… back then. It helped to mold us into who we are today. However, today we don't literally want to go back But, let's take all the positive things we can from the good old days, apply them to today and make today and tomorrows better.

So as December goes by and Christmas draws nigh I’m sure many days I’ll think about Christmases past. However, I won’t allow thoughts of the past to take away from my enjoyment of the here and now, because one day I want to be able to look back with the same type of smile I saw on my parents’ faces and say, “those were da good ol' days”

This is a rewrite of an article I wrote for Girl Talk several years ago.

Someday - Remembering Mom

Today I’m going to do something I’ve never done on this blog before…

Ready? Here we go…

I’m going to share an honest to goodness, happened while I was sleeping dream, directly from the pages of my journal:).

My Journal…

Last night I dreamt that I was in a room filled with people and I started singing a song straight from my heart. When I woke up the words were still there so I decided to write them down.

One day my life was torn apart,
Oh yes it was.
One day my life was torn apart,
Oh yes it was,
One day my life was torn apart

Oh yes it was,
My life was torn apart one day

In time Jesus healed my heart
Yes he did
In time Jesus healed my heart
Yes he did
In time Jesus healed my heart

Yes He did,
He healed my heart in time

Someday I’ll see you again
Oh yes I will
Someday I’ll see you again
Oh yes I will
Someday I’ll see you again

Oh yes I will,
Mommy I’ll see you again someday!

I guess even when I’m asleep my subconscious mind sometimes thinks about my mother. However, I’m comforted to know that, even in my dreams I know that someday I’ll see her again.

December 5, 2008

***************************************************

Today, October 1, 2009 makes three years since she’s been gone. Tears sometimes still fall but thank God my heart is completely healed.

If you’re reading this and you’re in the initial stages of grief because of the loss of a loved one or even a broken relationship. I assure you, time and prayer does heal bruised, wounded and broken hearts if you’ll give those broken pieces to God.

If you have a few minutes I’d love for you to meet my mother, Pastor Monvella McIntosh. She's the one with the perpetual smile, who almost always has on a hat. She is either preaching, praying, giving, hugging or is simply surrounded by those she loved.

I edited a 30 minutes sermon she gave that was broad casted live on the radio down to about 5 minutes. The title, You've Got to Go Through. Text: Isaiah 43:1-5

Time Flies...

Do you ever get the feeling that time is moving at warp speed? It's almost as if a month is going by in a week.

It was just about one month ago that one of my favorite teens stopped by my classroom to drop off her little sister to her first day in fourth grade before heading to her school for her first day in twelfth grade.

If I think really, really hard I can actually picture my twelfth grade year. So when I think of her in twelfth grade I think, "Wow, life is going by too quickly! Where did the time go?" It seems as if one day you have all of the time in the world ahead of you and then you suddenly wake up and it's ten years later...

It's so easy to get caught up in the daily routine of life that we forget every day that passes by brings us closer to the coming of Christ.

Sometimes I wonder, "Am I making the most of every opportunity? Am I living my life like He is soon to come? I know that some days I fall short of where I want to be but I keep trying... because, time is flying by, the days are short and I want to be ready when He comes...

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. . Ephesians 5:15-16

Baking with Chakara and Talice

My niece Chakara spent last week with me and somehow I found myself promising that we would bake chocolate chip cookies before she went back home.

Since she was leaving Wednesday evening, on Wednesday morning armed with the ingredients and a sheet with a recipe from kraftfoods.com we set out to make chocolate chip cookies.




We started putting in all the ingredients and was almost ready to start putting the cookie dough in the baking pan (I don’t own cookie sheets) when I remembered, “oops, we forgot the brown sugar.”



We quickly added in the brown sugar, but before we could put the first set of cookie dough on the sheet, there was a knock on the door. Our cousin Talice who lives next door came over and of course she wanted to join in the fun.

At the end of two or so hours I had a very untidy kitchen and



this...














this...


















and this

After the cookies were cooled they were packaged up for both girls to take home. I had no intention of testing my will power by keeping any of them at my house:)

Thanks kraftfoods.com, the cookies were certainly delicious, now if I could get some help cleaning my kitchen next time...

The Rescue Team

On Sunday night I was at home with stacks of single sheets of Girl Talk that I had copied on Saturday but had not gotten around to sorting out and stapling together yet. The task looked quite overwhelming and I wasn't sure I'd be able to complete it that night. In fact, I had already given up and decided to leave it until Monday evening when there was a knock on my door.

My cousin Cleora, one of GT's writers, and her two daughters one who happen to be my goddaughter and the other one of GT's teen models were at the door. They knew I had already copied the magazine and stopped by to help me put it together. Thanks to their help I was able to finish them Sunday night and send copies to some of the girls who had been enquiring about why this issue of GT was so late in getting out.

Today I'll Smile...

I made it one full year without you Mommy,
As you always said I could
Because you taught me to be strong, trust Jesus, never give up
So I’m sending you this letter by angelic messenger,
To let you know I'm still safe in his care
The tears still flow sometimes, but I know you’d say, "that’s okay"
Because you trust Jesus to enfold me in his arms
And remind me that you’re in a better place
So my darling mommy I’ll say again, goodbye
And I promise that today will not be spent in tears
Today I’ll smile as I think of you, and just how special you were
And how blessed I am to have been touched by your love

Always,
Your baby girl

Study to show thyself approved...

As you are now back in school for a new school year I would like to encourage you to do your very best! There are a few people who may be able to get good grades without ever studying but unfortunately, most of us don’t fall into that group. Hence, if you want to get the good grades you have to be willing to work for it.

I have always admired students who are disciplined and self-motivated. Those types of students enjoy praise just like anyone else but are motivated to work even without it. My nephew Jamere is one such student. He is high on my list of people I admire. He’s now 19 years old and in college however, from the time he was a little boy he was disciplined with his studies. No matter what was going on Jamere always found a quiet place away from the noise to study.

I took the above photo of Jamere one Sunday afternoon at my parents’ house. Everyone else was laughing and talking but Jamere in the midst of it all took out his book to study. As a result of his hard work, he graduated as valedictorian of his high school class two years ago and is now making top grades in college. I often tell him that I wish I were more like him when I was in high school but, my story reads quite differently.

There are so many times in life when we desire to have certain things or but we are unwilling to work for it. One of those things is good grades. However, the Bible says,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

This scripture does not only apply to the word of God but can apply to your schoolwork as well. So whether you're a high school student, college student or student of the word, I encourage you to work hard and do your very best.

God bless an have an excellent school year!

Oops! Did I say that?

Chakara,Auntie Bernie & Talice (cousin)


"What's the matter Princess? Don't you want to spend the day with Auntie Bernie?"

These questions were asked by me to my niece ChaKara who had just been dropped off to spend the day with me. She shook her head yes she did but still looked sad. After a little prodding two big fat tears fell down her cheeks so of course I was even more convinced she didn't want to spend the day with me. Finally after much coaxing she said through her tears, "I don't want to do any work." Her mother had left instructions with me that she had to complete some extra work in homework books.
Before I realized, I said to her, "That's okay Princess, you don't have to do any work."

"Oops! what did I just say???"

It is so easy to think that no matter what we will always do the right thing but sometimes we fail dismally. I speak to teens in my church and community often about not making choices just because they want someone to like them. However, here I was, wanting my niece to have a fun day with me without tears so I made the wrong choice. While this may seem small that's how bad choices often start. One choice to do the wrong thing makes it easier next time.

Unfortunately for me, I'll probably have a more difficult time with my niece who when she visits me again will probably not expect to do any school work. Fortunately, I now have a ready answer, "Let's sit down and do it now Princess, then we have the rest of the day to relax and have fun." Hopefully, it'll work.

The Beauty of Innocence... Forming Friendships

“This was the bestest day ever!

These spontaneous words came from my eight-year-old niece after I’d taken her and an eight-year-old cousin out for the day. The two of them had met briefly before but had never spent anytime together until that day. However by the end of the day they were fast friends.

I wondered what it was that cause children to form friendships so quickly. Then it came to me; it’s their innocence. When children meet each other they are not thinking, “Is she trustworthy? Does she talk a lot? Is she honest…? Or the many other thoughts that come to mind when we form friendships as teens and adults. They simply think, “you’re nice, fun etc. I like you, let’s be friends.

Children are also quick to forgive. I had to brake up a few little squabbles between my niece and cousin during the day but within five minutes they were friends again.

I have found some of the most beautiful expressions of innocence as I watch children develop friendships. Children in their innocence bring friendship down to the simplest form. Is it any wonder Jesus said in his word, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven? Matt 18:3 NIV

For more thoughts on this week's Carnival of Beauty topic visit Bethany at A Picturesque Life.
Visit Sallie at A Gracious Home

Christmas at my House

Christmas at my house... hmmm. Just saying it brings back memories of waking up Christmas morning to wonderful aromas, hearing my mother moving around in the kitchen preparing the Christmas meal, listening to her scold my dad for getting in the way, which by the way still happens.

There was never a lot of gifts at my house when I was growing up, sometimes we got books and pencils, other necessities or prehaps a toy, because in a family of eight children there often wasn't enough money for extravagant gifts. However, looking back I don't think of how deprived I was because, the gifts would have been long gone. I think of how blessed I was. My house was always filled with laughter, love, good cheer and lots and lots of food.

Present day in my house is not much different from 20+ years ago, except the family is much, much larger. We still don't concentrate so much on the gifts, although don't get me wrong it's always nice to get gifts. But, Christmas at my house is still about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family, friends and food :)

We go strictly traditional at my house at Christmas. My dad, my five brothers and older nephews usually grab all of the seats at the table and my mom, sisters and sisters-in-law are usually serving the food. You notice I didn't mention myself, well being the youngest I can still make myself scarce without being missed to quickly. (If I miss the serving I usually get stuck with kitchen duty afterwards though)

My favorite part of Christmas at my house is when we gather as a family, while Mommy prays for the entire family. Her prayer always sets the tone for the entire day. Along with that treasured tradition is the annual, can't do without, back to the past trip. This is where we all just sit around, usually after Christmas dinner, and reminisce about when we were younger, how different things were back then, tricks we played on each other (like when my brother Enoch talked me into let him give my doll a haircut. He convinced me that it would grow back.) We still call those days, "da good ol' days".

That's Christmas at my house. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Written December 2005



Things have changed in my family since Christmas last year. My mother is no longer with us. So Christmas 2005 will forever be in my memory.

Many hands make light work

After a seemingly too short vacation it was time to go back to work. For a teacher that means a classroom to decorate and make appealing to the students that would be coming through the doors a week later.

For several years,three of my nephews have volunteered to put their creativity to work and help me make my classroom beautiful. Unfortunately for me, two of them were off to college this year so I thought their youngest brother and I would have to go it alone. However I was wrong. They decided to take their last Saturday before leaving for college to help me in my classroom. This meant the world to me and made my work so much easier. "Many hands does indeed make light work"

If you've never volunteered to help anyone out during a difficult time, think about it. Babysitting for a neighbor or running an errand once in a while can make someone's day. My helpful nephews made my week. Thanks guys

Unlikely Hero

Sometimes we find a hero in the most unlikely places and people. Today my hero arrived dressed in baggy old shorts, an old tee shirt and dirty tennis. He didn't carry a sword and shield in his hands, but something much better... He carried a weed whacker which he used to get my much overgrown yard back into shape. My hero today was my eighteen year old nephew Timothy. Without a grumble, a complaint or even the expectation of a reward he freely gave up his Saturday morning to help his "damsel in distress" aunt with her yard.

The help my nephew gave me this morning made my day, not just because of what he did but because of the attitude he did it with. I thought about the many times I myself have done something with a less than gracious attitude, and really who gets glorified when we have a bad attitude?

Today I was reminded that whatever I do, I should do it with a good attitude as if I'm doing unto Christ. (Thanks for the reminder Timothy)

Are you Making Today Count?

On Thursday, last week I awaken to the sound of my sister crying. I was dismayed to find that our cousin had died during the night. She had been suffering from breast cancer but we all had faith that she would be healed... however, God knows best.

My cousin's passing brought home to me my own mortality and the fact that tomorrow is not promised to me hence I have to make sure that my today count. I have to make sure that I am doing the things that God wants me to do. Yes I know that absent from this body (to a Christian) is present with the Lord but I don't want to stand before him until I've finished the course that he has set for me.

My cousin was a vibrant, cheerful, fun-loving, godly woman. I believe that in her 37 years she touched many lives. I believe that she completed the course that God had set for her. I don't think that she would return to this earth even if she had the opportunity. I want to leave behind my cousin's type of testimony that I touched lives in a positive way.

February 3, 2004