Just say no!

Welcome back and I do pray all is well with you and yours. I also pray that some part of my journey is a blessing and inspiration to you. 

Not posting to my blog on Wednesdays makes me feel like I’m away from you for far too long, but duty calls. I hope you’ve been taking the time to catch up on your reading and don’t forget you my leave your comments and or questions after each post. Most seem to like to comment on my Facebook Page and that’s cool too.   

Let’s continue the walk. I left off with the startling, but not surprising news that I needed to have surgery to stop the pain.

It wasn’t even something I wanted to discuss with anyone or waste any time thinking about. When, was the only thing I wanted to hear! I felt a huge blessing coming on! The doctors exchanged a few words, stepped outside and came back about 30 minutes later. They said wanted to admit me right away, but the hospital could not be responsible for the financial cost if I had no other form of payment since my insurance was no more. The orthopedic doctors had agreed to do the surgery without the fee, but the hospital wasn’t willing to foot their portion of the bill. Dang! Dang and double dang!

I chose to come to this particular hospital because they knew much of my medical history, for their service in the area of medicine and social services department. I had been out of the states for a few years and my health insurance had long since lapsed. So I knew I was going to need some social intervention to get the care I needed. And like beautiful clock work a social worker showed up starting to hear my case.

 It was difficult to stay focused and awake to answer her question or ask her mine. I was in a place that I felt weighed down mentally and physically. I could barely lift my eyelid, that’s how heavy everything felt. My leg was still hurting though, but I just didn’t care about it hurting. The medicine helped not focus on the pain that was still there. I knew then that I didn’t want to rely on narcotic pain meds. It was so easy to see how they could become addictive. They promised me that I could forget the world, not think about the pain, but still feel the pain. Huh, what!? No thank you!

Did you know that Americans take 80%of the worlds pain medicine and are less than 5% of the world’s population!? Yep, uh huh! Guess we don’t want to grin and bear it or maybe that’s how so many people do grin and bear it. Yuk, not for me!  

The social worker was advocating for me to stay in the hospital, but I needed to get out of there and come back as soon as I took care of my Mother’s Memorial Service. I had been given thr honor to write her memoriam and organize the service. I couldn’t let it wait on me. I was hanging in there and I knew that GOD had this covered. I didn’t know how HE was going to work it out, but I knew it would work out.

Just as well, the hospital had not changed their position on the financial liability. I was discharged from the hospital with two prescriptions, one for extra strength Vicodin or rather it’s generic equivalent with acetaminophen (another pain med)and Ibuprofen. This painkilling cocktail barely took the edge off, but the next day I decided to only take the Ibuprofen even with the docotrs insisting I take all the medcine. The best thing for my pain was a hot Jacuzzi Bath with Epsom salt! 

Since I was house bound and most of the time on bed rest it gave me time to reflect on my true feelings about living in Gambia and my experiences. I come to realize how many of my ideas on life and Africa had changed: how I had grown mentally, emotionally and most of all spiritually. I began to realize how we as human beings idealize and idolize things that we know not. My reflections were beautiful and made me smile, even the ones that caused me to shudder and cringe.

 

                             Next time, sharing some reflections, hmmmmmm!

Enticing!

The Gambia is generally recognized as having perhaps the most agreeable climate in West Africa.

The weather is subtropical with distinct dry months, November through May (7) and a rainy season June through October.  The rainy season in Gambia coincides with the hurricane season in the USA. It is said that the winds that blow off the West Coast of Africa during the hurricane season follow the same route as the slave trade and is the breath of the ancestors.

There is a dry wind called the Harmattan which blows during the dry season. This dry wind is something else! You need all kinds of moisturizers during this time of year. The Harmattan Saharan winds give the Gambia a uniquely pleasant winter, completely rainless and blessed with daily sunshine. From November to May, the temperature varies between 70F (21C) and 80F (27C) and the relative humidity stays between 30% and 60%. Summer temperatures range between 80oF (27C) and 110F (32oC) and the relative humidity is high. 70F might not sound chilly to you, but when the air temperature drops from 100F to 70F with the Harmattan Winds believe me you’ll look for a comforter at night to keep you warm!

The rains usually begin in June and continue to October with the heaviest month usually being late July through mid September.  Inland, the cool season is shorter, and by the day high temperatures are encountered between March and June.  Generally, there is considerable cooling off in the evening. Rainfall in most parts of the country does not exceed 40 inches (1,016 Millimeters) and sunny periods occur on most days even in the rainy season.

The Atlantic Ocean borders the West Coast of Gambia and the sea temperature ranges from 62F-84F with the sea being warmer of course in the spring and summer months.
Gambia is more accessible to visitors from the UK and parts of Europe due to charter flights that usually fly in and out of Gambia from mid September through mid April. Coming from the states I suggest coming through Dakar if it’s your first time to Gambia. Spending a few days in Dakar and other parts of Senegal can be very enriching and rewarding. Although Gambia is surrounded by Senegal on the north, east and south, these countries are quite different. Senegal was colonized by the French so it is called a, “Francophone” country and Gambia by the British and a so called, “Anglophone” country.

Gambia is a small and peaceful country so it makes a great introduction to Africa. It’s a place where you can learn to think differently than western societies and also learn to think outside the box that so many live in. You will assuredly learn patience!

Like I’ve said before, visitation and residing are entirely two different things. The only way to find out is to take the leap for your self!   

                              No matter what season, the sunsets are spectacular!

Pain Medicine!

It’s been a couple of weeks since we revisited some events of 2007. I hope you remember and are keeping up with me. If you don’t I suggest you go back a few post so you’ll be able to continue on this journey with me and understand better where I’m coming from and talking about.

Let's lace our shoes and get to walking......... 

I was still in awe of how GOD’s blessing! I was finally able to get back to the states. Chicago to be exact! I was in so much pain and was glad to be in airports in Brussels, New York and Chicago that had wheelchairs because I had been putting so much weight on my cane that I thought it was going to break. I was popping Ibuprofen and Diclofenac like I was eating corn candy and peanuts I was in so much pain, but none of that mattered. I was coming home!

It is quite true home is where the heart is! No mater how much ancestral pull you may feel if you love, where you love is home. I’ve met many people here that do not want to even consider living in the states again. Most of these people are African Americans. I can not even begin to imagine leaving my family and my familiar without looking back or yearning to be with them, let alone close my eyes for the last time and not be surrounded by them.  My brothers and sisters here from other parts of the world from the African Diaspora seemed to be able to bend with the wind and don’t hold as much bitterness for the land of their birth. I’m telling you the residual affects and affects of the system in the states on the psyche of African Americans is devastating! There is a hurt and anger that lives some place deep inside so many of us that we do not share with others. I hope and pray living here for this time and my closer walk with GOD had healed me or at least been therapeutic.  

I did know what to expect when I got to Chicago. I had been more than two years. I’d lived on my own for so long and now I was going to stay with my daughter. I’d given up everything when I answered the call of my spirit to stay in Africa in 2004. All! Home, car, health insurance, all except my faith! I was focused; I had three things I needed to attend to. First was seeing my new grand baby that was 6 weeks old, my daughter’ daughter: 2^nd was organizing a memorial for my Mother and 3^rd was going to the doctor to see about my leg. 

The 1^st thing on my agenda was easy because I’d be staying with my daughter so the baby was there with us and of course it was love at 1^st sight, Grandma’s Puddie! People that knew me where feeling my pain and had never seen me weak or incapacitated before, I was always the picture of strength.  Their pain for my pain was palpable and made me feel so uncomfortable. I just wanted to assure them that I’d be okay, but it was hard to hide the kind of pain I was in. While trying the midst of trying to organize my Mother’s memorial my youngest Son told me to get ready because he was coming to take me to the hospital and that everything would have to wait.

When we got to the emergency room I don’t know what the hospital staff saw on my face, but they rushed me in and began pumping me full of pain meds. Geez, I was some place else. Not physically, but the drugs were taking me on mini trips as I did my best to answer the questions that the doctors, nurses, x-ray technicians, and other hospital workers were firing at me. My Son didn’t leave my side except when they took me for test and he was not allowed to go. I do remember that no matter how much medicine they gave me I still felt the pain. After hours of test, drugs, poking and prodding it was decided, I needed surgery if I wanted to stop the pain or walk again! Huh, what!? Geez!!!!!!!

Bare Minimum Wage!

Well hello! It's so nice to be back with you and I thank you for hanging in here with me! 

I'm going to make some changes in the days that I post to the blog. Before I was posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but now it will be on Mondays and Fridays only. My Wednesdays have become very busy and my day is not usually finished to well after 10:00PM GMT after my Rotarian meeting. I'll still be posting on what's going on with me and also giving you some history and information on The Gambia. 

Today's post is focused on the now situation of Gambia's people. Enjoy and don't forget you're free to comment or ask questions. So let's get started.....

  

The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources besides its people. There have been rumors of oil being found, but to date no benefits from these rumors have been observed.

Approximately 60% of Gambians live in rural villages, although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work, education and a chance to leave Africa. Provisional figures from the 2003 census show that the gap between the urban and rural populations is narrowing as more areas are declared urban. While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, indigenous forms of dress and celebration and the traditional emphasis on the extended family remain integral parts of everyday life.

Average wages in 2007 hover around $1-2 per day. Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 70% of the labor force. Within agriculture, peanut production accounts for 6.9% of GDP, other crops 8.3%, livestock 5.3%, fishing 1.8%, and forestry 0.5%. Industry accounts for approximately 8% of GDP and services approximately 58%. The limited amount of manufacturing is primarily agricultural-based.

The tourism industry is significant part of Gambia’s economy. Tourism in this country has three major strands. There is the traditional "sun, sea and sex" holiday making use of the hot climate and wonderful beaches although the government strives to increase cultural tourism. The Gambia is also usually the first African destination for many European bird watchers in view of its easily accessed and spectacular avian fauna. Most tourism is from the UK and European countries due to their close proximity and discounted tour packages.

Islam constitutes more than 90 percent of the religious population. An estimated 9 percent of the population is Christian and 1 percent practice indigenous animist religious beliefs. There is a small group of followers of the Baha’i Faith a small community of Hindus among South Asian immigrants ( a fast growing group). It is said that both Islam and Christianity are synchronized with Old Traditional African Religion.

                                                                Jola People

Blessed 2013

I’ve missed you! There was no way possible I could not add a post to my blog before this day ends. I’m going to deviate from the course I was on in this post and share some thoughts with you. Please remember that is always OK that we agree to disagree on issues. Everybody has a voice, this is mine!

Most people are hooked into “New Year” festivities and making resolutions. I’m not into that at all, the reolution aspect of it! A new year’s resolution is declaration to do something or make some kind of change from what is current. What I don’t get is that if you are aware of an existing problem or situation in your life why you would wait till a new year to do it. Some may say that it’s because with a new year you have a fresh start, but to me each day, each hour, each minute, each second, each moment is a fresh start. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone so that very thing you said you’ll do tomorrow you may not actually get a chance to do.  “Just do it”, as the slogan goes!  

I think that this point of view has come about as I mature in age and wisdom. I’m far from completion in my growth and maturity and I’m subject to procrastination like anyone else. That’s what I see the so called New Year’s resolutions as, procrastination. It’s obvious that when a person makes a resolution they have determined to do, change or fix something in their lives. Why wait till a new year? Suppose it’s February and you notice you want to make a change. Will you want to the following January to do it? That would be such a waste and like I said, well really not me but the WORD, tomorrow is not promised. Let us not live with regret and put off tomorrow what we can do today. That’s not progress or development that’s jumping on the bandwagon.  A ride too many of us have taken, will take or are on right now.  

Speaking of the bandwagon, far too many people jump on way too fast. Most that are riding the bandwagon have not gathered any information about the ride they are taking before we jump on, but get caught in the frenzy or hype that’s fueling the wagon. Just look a P Diddy putting on a kilt casue Kanye did it. I wonder who's next? Or people caught up into the world is going to end this day or that, geez!

In case you don’t know what the “bandwagon” is, here’s some information from Wikipedia: In layman’s term the bandwagon effect refers to people doing certain things because other people are doing them, regardless of their own beliefs, which they may ignore or override. The perceived "popularity" of an object, person or something may have an effect on how it is viewed on a whole. For instance, once a product becomes popular, more people tend to "get on the bandwagon" and buy it, too. The bandwagon effect has wide implications, but is commonly seen in politics, consumer and social behavior.

See what I mean! We have to be very careful of this. People, communities, countries, even whole continents can be and have been manipulated by this process. Sometimes for the good, but often for the bad. Take for instance the craziness of young men wearing their pants below their behinds with their underwear showing. We now have a culture with young men all around the world doing this, even here in Africa. Wow, imagine what a postive message can do!

In essence we must be careful and mindful of what we do and say everyday, especially in the presence of our children. We all agree that we want a better tomorrow so that means we’re mindful of what we do today!

 

                                                                Blessed 2013!

I love you all and pray for the good of everyone. May those things you declare come to pass and may you enjoy each new day!