Childhood Friendship Archives – Strength Of The Small

Childhood Friendship Destinations Children Family Gratitude

A Warm Weekend In Maryland

By JM PerezFebruary 24, 20252 min read428 views

I finally met Alicia Joann, my goddaughter …

She was baptized on the weekend with her brother. I love you, child!
Beautiful, smart, kind, gentle, amazing, calm, and composed, with the usual teenager vibe.
It was love at second sight – with the original emotions all over again, except this time, I could actually embrace her, talk to her, pray for her, and bless her.

Look at her gorgeous mother, Evelyne. I am just so grateful to have a sister like her, and most importantly, I am so blessed to have been adopted into the family thirty-three years ago. The Mighty God who knew me and my story before I was formed in my mother’s womb entrusted me to her family. Here we are today.

*“Having somewhere to go is home. Having someone to love is family. And having both is a blessing.” – Unknown*

- I missed our first daughter, who couldn’t make it due to school activities.
- I got to enjoy the company of the other ” J” babies.
- There was Felix, all grown with his swag …
- Then there was Sir Boniface, who took forever to notice me. When he finally put one plus one together, however, it was magical. I owe this brother a debt I cannot repay.
- It was wonderful to spend some time with aunt Grace. Mom, you are a phenomenal woman! Your advice as usual is invaluable. It feels so good to be in your presence. I love you so much.
- And of course, our Daddy was there in spirit, given the occasion. We miss you, Paps!

Emilienne: ♥❤♥. My heart is with you, always.

We laughed, we cried, we drank fine wine, we ate to our satisfaction (chef Jenifer, our graceful sister, made sure of it). We were graced by the presence of our very own ‘highness’ (how nice it was to tease you, sister-sister. That’s how much we love and cherish you).

Sending you love and strength during this difficult time as I stand with you in prayers.

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By JM Perez

Childhood Friendship Death Strength of The Small

Stephane Tchoudja Nana {Memory of}

By JM PerezJune 18, 20152 min read786 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

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By JM Perez

Childhood Friendship Love Gratitude People

I Remembered

By JM PerezJuly 21, 20131 min read768 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.

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.

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By JM Perez

Childhood Friendship Love Gratitude People

My Grateful Heart

By JM PerezJuly 10, 20132 min read769 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.

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By JM Perez

Childhood Friendship Children

Meet ‘Alicia Joann’

By JM PerezSeptember 24, 20123 min read1.1K 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.