A Dream That Became A Reality

For many years I have hosted events for different reasons. I had a dream that one day I would step outside my comfort zone and do something I had not done. 2022 while sitting in my living room crying over the loss of my mom, remembering the Mother’s Days I would call mom to wish her happy mother’s day and she would greet me with, “Happy Mother’s day my first star”, the fact that the last mother’s day I spent with mom doing something special for her and other mothers was 2017 at my home, 2018 was tough due to mom’s illness and 2019 she passed a few day before mother’s day. I started to wallow in self misery and the poor me syndrome. I will never have another mother’s day with my mom again. I was brought back to the here and now. I vividly recall having a conversation with mom, where I told her about wanting to do something to give back, more then I was doing then. Mom in her infinite wisdom told me that only I alone can come to the final conclusion of what it is I want to do, however; whatever it is, to make sure I pray about it, do it not to get praises nor to be the center of attention, but do it because it is the next right thing to do. So I pulled my thoughts together and went to work on a vision I have carried for many years; one where I go to my beloved Jamaica and give back. I put pen to paper and came up with what I know was an awesome plan. May 7, 2024 would be 5 years since mom’s passing so I decided I would do a give back for Mother’s Day 2024.

I went about planning this event, inviting ladies to meet at a location in Kingston, Jamaica, that would be disclosed to them only days before the event, all expenses paid, except their transportation to and from the location. Some ladies accepted, some declined for different reasons. With plans in place, I went to town organizing, finding the location, paying for the location, making arrangements (via phone calls, WhatsApp, email and by any means necessary). Amazon, Michaels and Hobby Lobby became even more friendly with me, decorations, goody bags, you name it were ordered. Things coming together nicely. But, there is something missing.

January 2024 I decided to share my idea/s with my siblings, Natalee, Errol and Tanya. I explained my vision of what else I would like to do with them and asked if they would partner with me to finance this portion of the event. This was a no brainer, Immediately; they were on board and funds came in. I was able to add an additional arm to my plans. Now to execute it. Thankfully, I had done some research on this before bringing it to them. I sent emails to my contact in Jamaica confirming my intent for this portion. Yes sir/madam, things are now finalized. Let me just pause to say, there will always be hicupps when planing any event, especially, when you are not on location; in this case I was in one Country organizing an event in another. You have to just pray for divine guidance always. Trust and believe it will work out.

Fast forward to Mother’s Day weekend. I got to Jamaica on Thursday, tired like wow, so I went to sleep as soon as I got to my location. Friday I met up with persons to pay for the second arm of the event and took care of some personal business in the mix (Government offices can be scary at times, but I got through it). Saturday intent was to go to church with a friend and his family, that did not work so I watched my church on Youtube. Picked up a friend Saturday night to hang with me. Sunday morning all bright eyed and bushy tail I went to the location with my friend who helped me organize/decorate the space. I was more nervous than I had ever been just thinking of how this event would turn out. My presentation was rehearsed a few time, I checked and re-checked the tables, menu, drinks, computer/technology system, granted technology was almost bust, thankfully the banquet manager came to the rescue and resolved this quickly. Thank God for qualified individuals who are cross trained. During all of this I am planing in my head to stop and go get dress until my friend asked, Stephne where are your clothes? What do you know I left them same place in the closet. Back to the AirBnB I went, so I just got dress there. Thankfully it was just around the corner, literally!

The ladies started arriving, can I tell you all, they were absolutely beautiful. Welcome drink served while they waited for the event to start. Event finally got on the way at 11:30AM (slated start time was 11AM). Get to know you more activity took place, presentation presented, plated lunch served, different array of activities, music, dancing, (because what would a Mother’s Day event be without dancing), pictures, laughter, me ugly crying because of a particular event, cake cutting and so much more. The event was a success.

My dream for this event was realized, for the ladies in attendance to have a great day. By all accounts, they did. I could not nor would I ask for anything more. Like mom admonished me, “do it not to get praises nor to be the center of attention, but do it because it is the next right thing to do.” I heard you mom and I did it. Until next time God’s willing!

Thank you to my peeps who supports me comes what may; my husband Courtney, I can always count on your support even when I am going over budget slightly, LOL! Minice Pickney dem, (Natalee, Errol and Tanya) mom would be so proud of us her Stars, my kids (Danielle, Maria and Christian), the two new addition, my son-in-law Joseph and my princess granddaughter, Ms. Luna. I know there might be others who would have supported me had I told them, but this was my baby and I wanted to keep it as such. Maybe next time I will call on you, who knows.

A very big thank you to the ladies in attendance, because you accepted my invite to this Mother’s Day Event May 12, 2024, my dream became a reality. I could not have done it without you. Thank you!!