A PSALM A DAY

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

     
     We have often heard the saying "A Psalm a day keeps the devil away."  Well, I find that a Psalm a day can be just that inspirational lift that one needs.


       Not too long after my twin sister's death I went in search of every inspirational book that I could find in our home, even if I had read them before. I found several but I was particularly struck by a small book of the Psalms. I knew that this book belonged to my father who died over 36 years ago but across the top of it was my name Judy Haughton-James and it was in my handwriting. I could not remember when I had read it but for sure I was going to read it again. I read it quickly and found out that it was just what I needed during the low moments.


         Psalm 23 has become my favourite and until today there is not a day that passes that I do not repeat the words. I remember many a sleepless night reciting the words of this Psalm as I lay in my bed. Oh, how it helped to calm my nerves. As I recited the words I pictured scenes that would go with them. For sure I was in a valley and needed to be strong to make my way out.


       It is therefore no surprise that I could not resist adding the "Psalm for the day" gadget to the right sidebar of this Blog. Verses from the Psalms change throughout the day and they certainly give me that needed lift every time I visit my Blog. I hope readers will also take this opportunity to read them whenever they visit. May God Bless you all.
        

Gregg Braden about the twin sisters born prematurely

This is awesome!  The twin bond is so strong. My twin is no longer around but as we always say "Once a twin, always a twin!"

A WONDERFUL BIRD SURPRISE!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

     
       This bird enthusiast is certainly having a whale of a time! In an earlier post I mentioned that I won the WDC Power Reviewer Challenge based on a picture of birds.  Well, things have gotten even better as one of the members of the group, Breaker, Metutera Toauriri, sent me this special signature as a gift for my poem. I was particularly pleased that he said he made sure to have 2 birds in the picture, one representing me and one for my departed twin sister. He went on to say that he hopes I will see it as in memory of her.


         I am truly grateful to you Breaker! For one, he fully understands the bond that twins share and went out of his way to remember my twin even though she had already died before I joined the group. It goes to show that there are persons who truly care. Of even more importance to me is the fact that this is coming from someone who is not one of twins. I am truly blessed to be in such a wonderful group at Writing.Com. They never fail to give each other encouragement and lift one's spirit.  God Bless Breaker who is from Kiribati in the South Pacific!

AVID TWIN BIRD ENTHUSIASTS!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

 
    The two bird figurines above have always been among the favourites that Janine and I have had in our collection. We were always fascinated when we got Christmas cards from relatives, pen-pals and friends and saw a red cardinal featured amid the snow. I have even seen pictures that my cousin Marlene took of a cardinal during winter in her state of Massachusetts and it was such an awesome sight.  The other bird figurine features Eastern Bluebirds.


     Year after year calendars featuring birds were sent to us as gifts from pen-pals around the world. We have also had bird books, pictures and postcards.  There was even a time when we collected postal stamps featuring birds. These stamps can now be seen in an album.

        Since Janine's death I have written this poem. It says it all:-

A BIRD ENTHUSIAST SPEAKS

Birds come in a dazzling array of colours.
I like to see them visiting flowers.
I had to start a bird figurine collection,
And now I have a wide selection.

They are such amazing creatures,
Some build nests of unusual structures.
Each bird's call is rather unique,
The woodpecker announces its presence by beak.

When you enter my home, you will have no doubt,
What a serious bird enthusiast is about.
Calendars and figurines showcasing these gifts of nature,
Each distinguished by a special feature.

FOR THE LOVE OF BIRDS!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

      As one can see from some of my posts and pictures on this Blog Janine and I were serious bird enthusiasts over the years.  Well, I have shared this fact with so many persons that it is now well-known. At Writing.Com they had a Power Reviewer's Challenge for us to write a  dialogue or poem based on a picture of 3 birds. Now you know who could not miss that! Me, of course!  You can therefore imagine how thrilled I was to receive the Writing.com Power Challenge Winner Award for this small poem that I wrote rather quickly:

 LIKE BIRDS OF A FEATHER

We are like birds of a feather,
When Power Reviewers flock together.
Eyeing many a poem, article and short story,
As writers eagerly seek their moment of glory.

Accolades and advice are deeply yearned,
It is the time for a lot to be learned.
Our monthly raids are so much fun,
That is when many reviews are done.
       
      Over the years Janine and I have written about birds for local and foreign publications. I can picture this smile on her face right now if she was here with me today.

YOU LIVE ON THROUGH ME!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

JUDY (LEFT) & JANINE (RIGHT)

I look in the mirror and what do I see?

You who looked so much like me.

After your death it made me feel so blue

At times I did not know what to do.

Many a day I was afraid to even speak,

It sounded like your voice and made me weak.

Now as I ponder and wonder for awhile,

Thank God I can manage to smile your smile.

This has been the deepest valley of my life,

But I will fight on when low moments are rife.

For sure I will never forget that what I see,

Is that you, my twin, lives on through me.

Marvin Sapp-Not the time, not the place with lyrics on screen

I love inspirational songs and just had to share this one!  I like the positive message! Never give up!  I am glad that I did not!

LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES  


       I have often heard the saying "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass - it's about learning to dance in the rain" by Vivian Greene. In recent times it has definitely become one of my favourite quotations. I just got the great news that I was the Top Member for June on Savvy 24 Seven, a Social Network for Professionals. In an earlier article on this Blog titled 'THE LIGHT THAT SHONE IN THE DARK' I related how I revived my writing career after Janine died, thanks to the book 'TWIN LOSS' by the late Dr. Raymond William Brandt.  I know that Janine would be so happy if she was here today with me. We used to write all our articles together and I never thought I would ever be able to write again after being devastated by her death.  


      These days I write a lot about my experiences being twins and becoming twinless and it is as if Janine is here helping me along the way. It has also proven to be therapeutic.


     Savvy 24 Seven is a Social Network for Professionals.  Members can write articles on their Blogs, participate in forums, discussions and  post videos and events.

FAVOURITE STATUS SHUFFLE QUOTATIONS ON FACEBOOK

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

    Since I joined Facebook I have used the Status Shuffle quotations on many occasions. My favourites include those that come under the topics of  inspirational, life-lessons and life. They often come in so handy when my spirit needs a lift. I also find that many persons like these quotations. Here are some of the favourites that I have chosen:

"Strength is looking back and seeing what you have been through and knowing you were strong enough to make it through."

"Life throws things at you sometimes and it says, you can't do it.  You gotta be the one to throw things back at life100 times harder, and tell it watch me."

"My life is guided by my G.P.S...God.Power.Strength."

"Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is having the courage to dance to it today."

"Life has its UPS and DOWNS.  The trick is to enjoy the UPS and have courage during the DOWNS."

ANALYZING SOME TWIN BABY FACTS

    
BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


         Since becoming a twinless twin I have become more and more interested in the facts about twins in general and also about my twin and me. Recently Mom found 2 Baby books that she had safely packed away. Janine and I had never looked in these books. One is a small yellow  book and the other is a big blue book. The covers and inside are decorated with drawings of flowers, baby pictures, ribbons, balloons etc. In the bigger book Mom has in some pictures of Janine and me. By the way, in those days one had no idea if one would have a girl or a boy until the child was born. Anyway Mom found out that she was having twins ahead of time.


        Now to the facts in the book. One fact that we always knew was that we were born on a Saturday. Mom said that she was due to travel into Kingston some 45 miles away to give birth but on that morning she realized that she would not get any further than the Port Maria hospital some 6 1/2 miles away. She jokingly remembered how nervous our father was and after they reached the hospital she told him to go and have some breakfast. Shortly after he left I arrived in the world at 10.15 while Janine arrived  5 minutes later. I weighed 6 1/4 lbs while Janine weighed 5 1/2 lbs.  It was noted that I had a birthmark on my right leg but I can't find it now!:) In each book she kept records of our weight gain and at times it switched where I had on more weight and then Janine had on more weight.


         However these are the facts that struck me. Although I was the first born Janine crawled, walked, spoke, and had teeth before I did. I am sorry that she is not around now that I could joke around with her and say the words of an ad that we used to see on television here "How come?!" I asked Mom if at any time she got nervous when one took  some time after the other to do things but she said "Not at all."  For instance Janine was taking steps at 13 months and she had to wait 1 month later to see me take those first steps.


         I also noted that in our early years we had some pets - Nip and Lassie were our dogs and Tibs our cat.  I think I have some recollection of Nip and Lassie but can't remember Tibs. The records of our christening, birthday celebrations and the gifts we got were also interesting. Mom is having a hard time getting these books back from me but I will certainly make sure I know where to find them again!