One of my friends gave me a story. That's what she called the pretty colourful bracelet, and the cute pair of pearl earrings she brought me back from her trip to England (she went to a workshop in business journalism hosted by Reuters -can you believe that- the Reuters!! She was the only black person there among journalists from all over the world!) She also brought me back a real live authentic Reuters pen! I was beside myself with ecstasy! A real live Reuters pen is just a really big deal to a young li'l Jamaican journalist-in-training. I'll tell you this much: it means something!So, when she handed me these things, she said, "this is the beginning of a story." When I heard that, I sat up straight because I knew something good was coming. And here it is:
My friend, (we shall dub her Destiny), visited her grandmother in England on her birthday (during the workshop). Her grandmother gave her a gift of a beautiful crockery set, and told her, "this is the beginning of a story." What she meant was that she didn't know if or when she would ever see Destiny again, so she was giving her the gift as what she expected to be the beginning of a legacy in Destiny's life. Basically, she was saying, if I never see you again, let this gift be in memory of me. Tell the story of your trip to England and your visit to your grandmother to your children and your children's children whenever you use these dishes.
So, after Destiny bought me the little keepsakes, she decided to call them the beginning of a story too. Because, according to her, as soon as she finishes her program at UWI, she is getting out of Jamaica as fast as she can and there is no guarantee that she will evah see me again after that.
"So," she said in her saucy, matter-of-fact way, "let this be the beginning of a story." I laughed my ass off. But it warmed my heart too. See, sometimes it's the little things...
23 comments:
This post warmed my heart, so I can imagine the unforgettable moment in sharing with your friend.
Yeah Believer. Destiny is crazy tho... I tell you!
I need more friends like destiny:) I've never missed ONE of your posts ruthi, i was disheartened when you discontinued your blog the other day, anyhow great post, tell "destiny" i want a pen too
lmao gordon, I know right... was a sweet lil moment... hit me smack dab in the middle of my sap! We'll see about that pen...
OOooo! That is such a wonderful concept... lots of story beginnings happening all around us, and now, because you have opened our mind to it, we shall actually see them! :D Thanks Ruthi!
All I can say is make the most of the beginnings and aim for no regrets...ever!
Rae, maybe I should pass on the love and go get one of my friends a 'story' too, right?? I'm glad you see this post that way...
And after I wrote this, I was looking at my Reuters pen, and thinking, this thing is literally the beginning of a story, lol!
Le, I certainly don't like retaking life lessons, so I really do try to learn them once and never again.
Sweet story....but the world is a small place these days, infact I think I keep in better contact with my friends in Dubai now, than i ever did...
yeah, CP, that's true. The internet and telephone alone should be sufficient to make sure we stay in touch, right?
awwww, ditto Gordon Swaby, you've no idea how i missed this blog when it upped and disappeared.
little stories like this are so great, thanks ruthi, restores one's faith in humanity somehow. yes Destiny, beat it from Ja but come back later ok?
thanks Jdid, Annie.
@Annie, I think the point of her gifts was that there might be no return, lol. That child is serious, I tell you. She cant really see herself being a serious, successful (read well-paid) business journalist here... so she plans to fly faaar far away!
^^^ awww the industrialization brain drain.
You def seem like someone to make a social impact. Do you think you'll do this for your country while in it or on the outside?
Yeah, I did see a sad comment on Jamaica in this post too.... but then, I can't sit here and knock her, as I left Jam to come to Cayman too, and I don't plan on returning for now.... hmmm.... Maybe after this whole global economic crisis thing has burned itself out....
Ahhh...that was sweet in so many ways. I love the fact that legacies are being created and handed down, and the fact is, we often treasure something even more when there is a sentimental sotry attached to it. I feel that we really need to create more legacies / stories for things that we hand on..
I goin' tief this concept. I goin' find s cheap li'l gift and give them as 'Stories' to my girlfriends, and I have a bowl that my Mom gave to me recently that I am going to give to my son...
That was really really sweet ... and it helped that you called her "Destiny" :)
That was really really sweet ... and it helped that you called her "Destiny" :)
Love your writing. It is excellent. Waiting to see you in the arena of journalism.
:-)
sometimes it really is the little things... thanks for this ruthi...
That's a wonderful idea Afroditee. Spread the love...
Will, I know.. this was sappy delight
lol@Destiny... see now that wasnt even intentional, lol.
Wonderful account. Yes sometimes it's the little things that warms our hearts.
hi. where's the picture of the pen? it's like umm...porn for writers. lol.
I can't wait to read the stories written with the pen and the story inspired by the pen.
loves this mucho.
x.
porn for writers?? yeah.. interestng analogy.
thanks much for the vote of confidence, are...
stunner, yes, that's exactly the point. sometimes it really just is the teeny tiny things...
Yeah man.....these little moments make life worthwhile.
yes they do...
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