DAILY WORD - A POWERFUL LITTLE MAGAZINE!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


    Ever since I was a teenager the Daily Word magazine published by Unity has been subscribed to by my family. It is a most inspirational magazine that always has a message to uplift your spirit at the very right time.  When my twin sister was ill she still found time to read it in the morning or have it read to her. I have also found it to be extremely helpful since her death and never fail to read it early every morning.


     There are monthly affirmations, the Editor's Note as well as an inspirational article at the beginning of every month. The poems and Letters From The Heart are also very good. From day to day each month you get a message about FAITH, DIVINE ORDER, HEALING, GRACE, HARMONY, PROSPERITY, ILLUMINATION and so much more. When an entire issue is finished I even sit and read the entire month's messages again. I am really happy that my parents introduced me to this magazine.


   Speaking of Unity, over the years I have read several books that my parents bought which were written by one of their authors.  I also remember how my twin sister and I eagerly looked forward to the Wee Wisdom magazine when we were children.


   I eagerly recommend this powerful little magazine. It is definitely worth the read whether you are experiencing good or bad times.

THE NEED TO WRITE

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


       Shortly after Janine's death I remember a cousin saying to me "Why not start a Blog where you can share your thoughts on what it is like being a twinless twin?"  Then I was so confused that I never gave it much thought.  However after 2 years of linking up with other twinless twins, reading books and better understanding a lot of my experiences I decided to start a Blog. If you are a twinless twin write down your thoughts, poems, articles etc. even if you do not want to share them with others. You will definitely find doing so therapeutic.
      I am also happy to see other twinless twins having Blogs. Three twinless twin Blogs that I am currently following are Enjy's Place, Kari's Blog and Twin Love. I have also joined the Experience Project's Twinless Twins group. I had some problems accessing the site but happily that problem seems to be over.  If anyone knows of other twinless twin Blogs please share them with me.  In the meantime write on.  Below is a poem that I wrote some months after Janine's death.


THE NEED TO WRITE
By Judy Haughton-James


I have always wanted to work in the media,
Being a broadcaster was the first idea.
Finally decided to be a Journalist,
And pursued my goal with earnest.


Did courses in Journalism and Writing,
Found them extremely interesting.
Broke into print with hobbies and interests,
Since then have written on a wide range of subjects.


These days writing for me is therapy,
While others offer me sympathy.
Now without my identical twin,
I draw on all the strength within.

celine dion ft. josh groban, the prayer

Josh Groban - Your Raise Me Up on Ellen Show

MUSIC AS THERAPY

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


      Some years ago my identical twin sister Janine and I had an article published in Jamaica's national Sunday Gleaner newspaper titled 'MUSIC AS THERAPY.'  It gave facts on research findings showing the effect of music on human beings, plants and animals.  We started it with this quotation from one of the world's great philosopher's, Plato - "Music is moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything."


     I remember the days when we started playing the recorder at St. Cyprian's Prep School. We were even brave enough to play it in front of the whole school at devotion when we were in high school. Oh, how I wish that we had continued piano lessons. We were even members of the choirs at our two high schools.


    We have always found time to enjoy listening to music and our taste included a wide variety - reggae, calypso, soul, gospel etc. These days I do not get to listen to a lot of music during the week but I certainly make sure to get my fair share from the radio stations and video programmes on television during the weekends.


      As I write about this subject I am here wondering when I will be able to take up the case with CDs that Janine and I received as gifts or bought ourselves.  Not even at Christmas time am I able to listen to our many Christmas CDs.  Anyway I am happy that I can still watch and enjoy the popular Digicel Rising Stars Show which Janine and I enjoyed so much.  I eagerly await the start of this year's season.


     There are several songs that have had a great impact on me since Janine's death.  Two of them are Josh Groban's song 'You Raise Me Up' and Judy Jacob's Song 'Days of Elijah (There is No God Like Jehovah).'  I find them so inspirational.


    Whenever I hear Josh Groban's song I remember how it lifted my spirit so many mornings shortly after Janine's death. There was a talkshow on radio that we used to listen to every morning and the host always started her show  with this song.


     Music is indeed powerful! As our late reggae superstar Bob Marley said in his song Trench Town Rock "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

THE JOYS OF PEN-PALLING

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES
        For many years Janine and I have corresponded with pen-pals and it is was always No.1 on our list of hobbies.  We even had the pleasure of meeting some of these pen-pals - Vicki from the U.S.A., Dominique from Switzerland and Sue from England. I will never forget the enjoyable afternoon we had at The Ruins Restaurant in the popular Jamaican tourist resort of Ocho Rios when we met our mom's pen-pal Dorothy whom she had already corresponded with for over 60 years.
       Since Janine's death in 2008 I have kept in contact with many of her former pals. Robby from Italy has been a great friend as she has helped me throughout these challenging times with positive words in emails and our chats on Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Chat and MSN.
      This poem that I have written sums up how I feel about this hobby and I know that Janine shared this opinion during her time here on earth.


      THE JOYS OF PENPALLING


For many years I have been pen-palling,
A hobby I have found fulfilling.
So much I have learnt,
From persons on this earth.


People live many miles apart,
But are quite similar at heart.
Interesting people, customs, places to learn about,
A wealth of information there is absolutely no doubt.


Sharing tales of failure, success, joy and sorrow,
You build a strong friendship for tomorrow.
The day may come when pen-pals meet
Each other like long lost friends they greet.

OUR FAVOURITE PETS OVER THE YEARS

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

       Throughout the years Janine and I have always had dogs as pets.  As a matter of fact at times we had several dogs and I mean as many as 6 or more!  Our dogs have enjoyed our environment as living on a farm they have a lot of land that they could run around freely on.  Although all dogs are treated well you can't help but have one or two favourites.  The names of our favourites that immediately come to mind were Nerrie and Nellie.  In recent times Dobie and Waggy featured in the pictures above have been our favourites.


        I sometimes wonder if our dogs could tell the difference between my twin sister and me. Why?! It always seemed as if each dog preferred one twin over the other.  This is because the dog would be quick to greet and stay close to one twin more than the other.  They clearly knew that we were two individuals although we looked so much alike.


       During the short time that Janine was ill they never failed to rush in the room whenever they came into our house as if to see how she was doing. They even looked puzzled at times as they seemed to wonder why she wasn't up and about with me as usual!


      The strangest thing occurred the first morning after her death. She died just before noon on Thursday, October 16, 2008. I do not know if they saw when the undertakers removed her body. It is a situation that I could not deal with so I went into a room. Normally they would rush into the house every morning and be up and about wagging their tails and acting lively. Instead that morning they laid on the carpet and were unusually quiet.  Did they also realize that Janine was no longer with us?  We will never know but animals sometimes appear to know more than what we credit them for.


      I have been able to write several poems since Janine's death and I am sure if she was with me she would agree with every word in this poem:
          
        MY FAVOURITE PETS


Are you willing to take a bet
And guess which animal is my favourite pet?
I will gladly tell you that dogs are the best,
I have always preferred them over the rest.


They are ready and eager to protect us,
Willing to keep our company without a fuss.
They show such amazing intelligence,
Standing by our side with diligence.


They even seem to smile,
Wagging their tails for awhile.
No one should dare to intrude,
As any invasion changes a dog's mood.


My dog Dobie can pull a gate,
And does it at a quick rate.
He acts like a potential track star,
Seeming to favour hurdling by far.


Dogs are really smart,
And are dear to my heart.
Oh how I wish I still had four,
They are man's best friend for sure.

TREASURED COUNTRY LIFE MEMORIES

                                                                

     By Judy Haughton-James




       On November 4, 1961 my identical twin sister Janine and I arrived in the world at the Port Maria Hospital in the parish of St.Mary on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. A few days later we were taken on the 61/2 mile uphill journey to start life with the rest of our family on our farm in the cool hills of Boyne Park. This was the beginning of almost 47 years of glorious country life filled with bliss, peace and tranquility.


       Today as I reminisce on these years that ended on October 16, 2008, when my twin sister passed away, it is our interest in birdwatching that brings back some very special memories.  Living in an environment where there was a wide wide variety of trees and flowers  guaranteed regular visits by our feathered friends.  As a matter of fact even when we were not yet out of bed in the morning the chirping of birds heralded the break of dawn.  During spring time they became our handy 'alarm clock' as we knew that it was just after 5 a.m.
  
     Whenever we sat on our verandah we were not only caressed by a cool breeze but a breathtaking view of hills and mountains with the blue sky and Caribbean sea seeming to hug each other. In the midst of this our feathered friends appeared in a dazzling array of colours.  The top 3 for us were among those that would win any popularity contest among Jamaican bird lovers.  Taking top spot was our national bird the Jamaican Streamer Tail Hummingbird.  You would have no doubt as to how he received his national status.  He moves swiftly with his iridescent green plumage shining gold or electric blue in the brilliant sunshine of our 'Island in the sun.' Equally alluring are his 8" - 10" long black tail feathers.


    The Bananaquit and Jamaican Tody take the next 2 spots with the Bananaquit boasting black, white and yellow feathers while the Jamaican Tody's chubby body is blessed with vivid emerald green on the upper parts and an outstanding scarlet throat.


   There were many occasions when we didn't even have to see one of our country's handsome birds, The Jamaican Woodpecker, to know that he lurked in  our midst.  The tapping of a strong beak against a tree trunk had our eyes roaming as we attempted to glimpse him relishing his favourite dish of ants on a coconut tree.


    This love of birds took on greater proportions as we started collecting stamps, postcards, pictures, calendars and just about any item with a bird on it. However a huge display unit filled with figurines of birds from around the world now takes pride of place in our living-room.


    As I sit looking at this collection I see a special memorial to my twin.  What else can I do but shout "I am proud to be a country woman!" Only such an environment could have given me these treasured memories.


                                                              




                                                          

EASTER - A SPECIAL TIME FOR ME

  

      From Good Friday ( April 22) - Easter Monday (April 25) we celebrate a long holiday weekend in Jamaica and here I share pictures of some of Janine's favourite Easter decorations.  At Easter 2009 I was able to decorate our home after being unable to do so the first Christmas after her death. I thought I could not decorate our home ever again then suddenly I said to myself "Why not decorate the living-room table with Janine's favourite Easter decorations?" Number 1 on her list was the Easter wooden bunny which she got from her German pen-pal Heidi. Some years after that her Swedish pen-pal Carin sent her some decorative Easter eggs and lavender and yellow feathers.  She also got some  little yellow chicks from another German pal Claudia.  Here in Jamaica it is not really the custom to decorate our homes at Easter but I am glad that her pen-pals sent these decorations so that I can use them and remember the Easter holidays we celebrated together.

      Many Christians including myself consider this a very important time of the year when we reflect on what Christ did for us. As I think of His death and resurrection, I know that my twin sister is not confined to a grave. She is a in better place and we will meet again some day. I take comfort in these Bible verses:

  

    "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." -John 14: 2-3

   "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live." John 11:25


     Easter is always a time for Easter eggs, chocolate, fish and Jamaican bun and cheese.  Escoveitched fish was always a big favourite for Janine and of course it has also been one of my favourite dishes. We start eating it from midday Holy Thursday. Escoveitched fish and bread were all we needed to see until Easter Sunday. We also had our fair share of bun and cheese.  Our favourites have been those from HTB, Yummy, Whitfield and Purity which were usually rich in currants, raisins,cherries and dried fruit.


       Holidays are never easy for me these days but I will recall all the good times that Janine and I had and make the best of this Easter. I wish everyone who celebrates this special time of the year a HAPPY EASTER!

A SPECIAL DREAM

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


       From time to time something happens that shocks you and turns your whole world upside down and oh how you wish it was just a bad dream. It is so difficult to face reality that you feel dazed as if you have woken up suddenly and still feel very tired.


       After my twin sister's death I went through a long period with very little sleep during the night.  I was never one to dream much and just could not imagine getting enough sleep to even dream!


      Miraculously the night before her funeral I managed to get a short period of sleep and had what I regard as  a very special dream. My twin and I were out together, dressed alike as usual and both looked hale and hearty.  I was so surprised and said to myself "How come I am so lucky that my twin is dead, yet she is here with me?"


       Anyone who doubts the powerful effect of a special dream can check me.  I found myself with an unbelievable strength at her funeral.  I am someone with a strong Christian faith and I saw this as God assuring me that although my twin had died and was being buried she would still be with me in spirit.


        When you are one of twins you enter this world with company and find yourself living in a fantasy world that here is company for life.  When your twin dies you are jolted by reality and it is not an easy road to travel.


         This special dream is always there for me to recall and it has helped me during many low moments.  Since then I have seen my twin in several dreams and look forward to having many more. What is particularly interesting is that so far this has been the only dream in which I remembered that my twin was dead.