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!

QUOTATIONS THAT GIVE YOU A LIFT!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


    Isn't it amazing how sometimes we feel down and out and then we see a quotation that really lifts our spirit? I am constantly being inspired by quotations. No wonder I could not resist adding the WISDOM QUOTES feature on the right sidebar of my Blog. Check it throughout the day as the quotes change regularly. From time to time I will also share some of my favourite quotations.  Here are a few:


"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Ann Radmacher


"We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust the sails." - Bertha Calloway


"HOPE - HOLDING ON, PRAYING EARNESTLY."


"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark." - Rabindranath Tagore

nana mouskouri - amazing grace

I can always depend on my Facebook friends to lift my spirit! Thanks to Jack who posted this AWESOME video on my Facebook Wall!

SPECIAL MEMORIES OF THE BEIJING OLYMPICS

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES


        I am big fan of athletics and recently I have had reason to focus on this. First I had a visit from my cousin who was a coach of one of my former high schools. As I interviewed him for the school's website we recalled the wonderful achievements of athletes from that school. 


        Now in full focus are many of our top athletes with our 4 day Jamaica National Athletics Championships being held at the National Stadium. These Championships will determine the athletes who will represent our country in the World Championships in August .


       Wonderful memories flow as I remember August/September 2008 when my twin sister and I sat in our living-room watching the Beijing Olympics. She was not feeling well but was still able to enjoy Jamaican athletes winning medals and parading with our black, green and gold flag!  Right now I can picture her seated in our gold living-room chair with a smile on her face and there was certainly a lot to smile about. Just look at the achievements of our small country at those games:
       Usain Bolt - Gold in the Men's 100m with a world record - 9.69 seconds
       Usain Bolt - Gold in the  Men's 200m with a world record - 19.30 sec.
       Men's 4x100m relay - Gold - world record 37.10 seconds
       Shelly-Ann Fraser - Gold in the Women's 100m
       Sherone Simpson  & Kerron Stewart - Silver in the  Women's 100m! 
       Yes! That is right! Two Jamaicans won silver medals in the race!
       Veronica Campbell-Brown - Gold in the Women's 200m
       Kerron Stewart - Bronze in the Women's 200m
       Shericka Williams - Silver in the Women's 400m
       Melaine Walker - Gold in the Women's 400m hurdles - 52.64 seconds
       Olympic Record
       Women's 4x400m relay - Bronze 


      The time that we spent together revelling in the great performance of our athletes is among the many special moments that I will treasure. It is still hard to believe that only 2 months later in that year she departed this life. One thing for sure, great memories live on forever.

WE MADE MOM LOVE MILO!

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES
   
    My post a few days ago showed a comic strip featuring mothers at a mothers of twins support group meeting.  They all looked so tired. I asked Mom if this is how she felt at times when Janine and I were very young. Well, she said that Janine and I resulted in her getting to love the energy food drink, Milo. Sometimes she got so tired that she would mix a glass of Milo and put it in the refrigerator. When it was cold enough she would drink it. She never regarded us as 'double trouble' or the 'terrible twos' though!:)  Today she still loves Milo and especially during these hot days on our 'Island in the Sun.' Attached are some pictures of Mom, Janine and me.  At least she did not look worn out as yet in the first picture! She was seated behind us in the second one! Maybe a bit tired eh?!