Childhood Friendship

Stephane Tchoudja Nana {Memory of}

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read605 views

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen (The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey).

I got a painful call a little while ago informing me of the death of my childhood friend; my best male friend. I feel alone. Time seems to have stopped. I am torn apart. I am falling apart …
We found each other not too long ago after seventeen years and now I have lost him for good.

Nothing is worth loosing a good friend and we shouldn’t give up too easily when it comes to saving a relationship because we cannot reset time. We should strive to stand tough with one another, especially when the odds seem to be against us. Life is short. Live and learn. Love and kindness don’t cost a thing. Spread some Love.

May God be with his family and get them through these difficult times.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ― Revelation 21:4

I Remembered

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read543 views

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ― A.A. Milne

We had a beautiful weather this weekend in the High Desert. It was mostly cloudy with some cool breeze and a few rain drops starting Saturday afternoon and a little more around 2:00 AM Sunday morning. Just lovely and perfect to spend the entire day outdoors relaxing and finishing up projects.

Today, I was blessed to reconnect with yet another awesome Friend; a Sister at heart and my voice of reason back when the pain was too much to bear.  She always made me promise to remember how great Life once was; promise to smile after the tears dried; promise to shake things off; Promise you will not do something stupid. “Promise me, Joan, promise me.” Those uplifting words still echo in my mind. At the time I was so deep into my grief that I couldn’t see the Support Team I was given and the circle I found myself into prior to that bitter day.

Image Credit: Willow Tree.com
Image Credit: Willow Tree.com

I quietly listened to everything she said to me and I remembered. After a good thirty minutes of updates and expressing our gratitude to one another, we laughed a lot. An hour well spent reconnecting. A definite throwback for both of us. Until next time, I am holding on to good memories.

To you, Evelyne, from the bottom of my heart: Thank You.

My Grateful Heart

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read511 views

The days of the week have gone by slowly, allowing me to start and finish some little projects.
Yesterday was a joyful and heartfelt day for me. After talking to my Dad, I happened upon an old friend’s number. Had seven years really gone by since I last spoke to this awesome being? I asked myself.  Sure, we kept in touch through emails. How could seven years go by without verbal exchanges? I had no time for my mind to wonder. I was thrilled to talk to one of the amazing individuals who stood tough with me during my times of need.

"Kindness is the catalyst that fuels our drive for Love and Compassion." — Joan Ambu
Kindness, Love and Compassion.

I met Blanche in High School and she instantly became my best friend. She was always in my face and my business. She was my eyes when I couldn’t see clearly, my voice when I couldn’t speak and she had my back. We celebrated our birthdays together as hers is a day prior to mine. We had so much love, admiration and respect for one another and I thank God every single day for placing her on my path through life because she helped me remember how sweet Life was and how joyful I was prior to loosing my sister. She stood by me and walked me through the other side of grief. We were birds of a feather, and naturally, we flocked together.

As I dialed her number and patiently waited for the connection to be established,  my heart leapt with joy when I heard a familiar voice on the other end. As soon as she heard my voice she said: Please tell me it’s you Joan, I’ve prayed for this moment.Yes, it is I, I jokingly replied. We laughed and picked up right where we’d left off as if time and space never existed. We spent over an hour catching up on each other’s life and in the end, we made the promise to talk to each other at least once a month.

“True friends are the ones who never leave your heart, even if they leave your life for a while. Even after years apart, you pick up with them right where you left off, and even if they die, they’re never dead in your heart.” ― Unknown

I haven’t forgotten those who comforted me and genuinely cheered my successes and happiness.

Meet ‘Alicia Joann’

JM Perez By JM Perez3 min read549 views

“There are still some wonderful people left in this world! They are diamonds in the rough, but they’re around! You’ll find them when you fall down– they’re the ones who pick you up, who don’t judge, and you had to fall down to see them! When you get up again, remember who your true friends are!” – C. JoyBell C.

My Beautiful – Adorable – Goddaughter.

In the Fall of 1992 in Yaounde, Cameroon, I was meeting for the first time Emilienne, a classmate who later became my best friend and sister.

Emilienne is one of my truest friends. I can count on her to tell me point blank that I suck and to lay down the truth. Growing up, like every little girl, we had dreams. We prayed for serenity, health and love; we asked the Lord to guide us in the right path and to always keep us close. And yes, the Lord has never failed us. She is Mom to a smart and beautiful soon to be 7-year-old girl, Jamie, whom I am blessed to call niece. I personally do not know anyone who smiles as much as this darling little girl. I tell you, if smiles could heal, Planet Earth would be a disease free World. Those who know her will understand what I am talking about.
Nineteen good years together and dear Emilienne has never left my side.

So World, I present you Alicia Joann, Emilienne’s niece, Eve’s daughter and my Goddaughter. Born September 20th, 2012. She is a tremendous source of pride and joy.

Just when I was down on my knees, asking our Heavenly Father for a Goddaughter; I was also learning that Mom was pregnant with you. Quickly and without hesitation, I told your Mommy I would step in and become your godmother and to my amazement, she agreed. Generally, parents are the ones who choose godparents for their children. I chose you, nevertheless, to love, to listen to, to comfort, to share with through personal experiences, to guide you. In the end I can only hope to be a good role model and an inspiration.

You stole my heart before you were born, dear daughter from another mother. Welcome into the World, little one. I am grateful to be part of your life and very thankful for your good health. Until I meet you, goddaughter, my prayers are with you always. I will continue praying every single night for you that you live a life worthy of the Lord and that you grow in the knowledge of His Word.

Now you have someone outside your immediate family who loves you and who has sincere interest in you.
“May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.” – Psalm 23:6

“Alicia is what I needed to feel complete.
God gave her to me at the right time; I’m positive, I don’t need anything.
She is precious, she is priceless, she is mine.” –  Eve Lor.

To you dear Eve, enjoy these moments as they are quick to pass.

Memories: A Childhood Friendship

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read707 views

Today I feel warm and joyful inside. I feel the same way I remember feeling as a child: free of worries and content.

 While growing up, I was blessed to have a Father (I still am) whose career took him all over the country. We never stayed longer than a year and a half on a set location. I had the opportunity to travel and make friends even though it only lasted for a little while. As we observe, learn and become aware of our surroundings; we connect and advertently share bonds free of prejudice at such a tender age. Those are the individuals we tend to remember for the rest of our lives.

 It was only in 1990 that we finally settled down in Yaoundé, Nouvelle Route Bastos.
Not too long after we moved into our home, a family moved across from us. An unconditional bond was formed and friendship was born right from the get-go between one of the kids and me. Stéphane instantly became my best friend and confidant. He was the handsome, awesome, loving and friendly guy from across our house, who would bug and nag at every opportunity he had. We spent countless hours after school talking about parties, sweet nothings and sometimes current events. That’s how we enjoyed spending our time instead of doing homework and preparing for the next school day.
He was a huge source of compassion. I cherish and hold those memories close to my heart. Those were joyful times, when life was so simple. Those were some of the best days of my life.

Stéphane & his beautiful Family.

Though we last saw each other fifteen years ago; I never stopped searching for him and asking around. For some reasons no one had the time nor the will to track him down including those I spoke to, who knew his whereabouts. It made me wonder if perhaps only fate could reunite us once again, as it was the case twenty-one years ago? I can’t help but wonder.

This morning I was blessed to reconnect with him. When I logged into my Facebook account my eyes immediately spotted his name. I knew then, without a doubt, that he was the one since we both shared a childhood friend. I jumped with joy as my heart leapt with excitement and gratitude.

It was so good talking to you, dear friend. Thank you for still being a part of my life; it thrills me beyond belief. I am looking forward to new beginnings.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” – Romans 8:28 (KJV)