This Little Light of Mine: Addena’s SubStack

January Newsletter

Jan 31, 2025

January Newsletter

Welcome, welcome, welcome, to the January newsletter. I am honoured and truly pleased that you chose to come and spend a little time with me again this month checking out “This Little Light of Mine” Newsletter publication.

I’ve never been more relieved that the Newsletter comes at the end of each month because I couldn’t conjure up the will to write or create anything all this month. Actually… it’s been that way more like for the past two months. Luckily, I booked December and January for us to spend in Jamaica. Our daughter April joined us there. Yeah!! That was a bonus. Plus, as an extra bonus we got to see quite a few of the wonderful friends that we’ve made over the past 34 years. We’ve been visiting there every year since 1990 except for a brief break when Covid was rampant.

Being in Jamaica is a Happy Making experience. . It means a rare glimpse of TV, which means no news!!! especially no American political news, and only a rare political conversation. The news before we left home was so depressing that we vowed “no news in Jamaica”! and we stuck with that. (I must confess the few times we encountered a tourist/s that mentioned Trump I couldn’t stop myself from blurting out: “He’s a fu**ing racist, fascist, Asshole, and he’s dangerous, not only for America, but he presents a danger to the whole world order”. I don’t know if it was my tone of voice, or my actual words, but this statement discouraged, any longer conversations about him and his MAGA followers.

We go to Jamaica to enjoy the Sun and to revel in the awe of how the warm breezes kiss our bare skin. We go to enjoy the salty smell of the Caribbean Sea, to enjoy the music in the air (everywhere), and hear the loud unapologetic laughter of people around us. Most of all, we go to appreciate the welcome smiles of most of the people we encounter, and to hear the beautiful music of the Patois language spoken everywhere around us. We don’t go there to debate politics.

For the two months we spend in Jamaica, I mostly (unapologetically) sleep in late, I prop up on my elbow am content to just lay there and just stare out the balcony doors at the Palm Trees and the beautifully groomed grounds (tended by Junior the Gardener Extrodinaire) except for the days I purposely get up at Sunrise to walk on the beach when it’s empty and I can look as far as I can see along the seven miles of beach and just “ahhhhhhhhhh” ! It feels like the world is mine.

I don’t exercise enough when I’m there. That’s why I hit the gym almost everyday and go mainly on a Keto diet for weeks before we go. When I’m there, I eat too many carbs (as I try to eat all my favourite Jamaican foods hoping to find some comfort for my Soul with this escape/ vacation). I’m thinking now, I should’ve ordered more Chicken Soup, to soothe my Soul. Homemade Chicken Soup is good for you and has way less calories than Rum Cake and Rum Raisin Ice-cream., and Festivals, and Patties, Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Peas and Rice! … Yes, We partook in lots of good eats .. and good treats!

Christmas was wonderful! It turned out to be a beautiful warm day. We spent it with Family and adopted family Lenny and “ Kay” and their family and neighbours. Lenny and Kay cooked for all of us. It was a fabulous Christmas feast! I posted photos last month.

In January, I didn’t watch one minute of The Inauguration. I’d sooner chew Tinfoil or drop jerk sauce in my eyes than watch Trump or listen to him speak. Instead, I binged on “Lip-Synch Battles” and posted them. They’re hilarious. My favourites are Kathy Bates and Zendaya VS Tom Holland, ( her Fiancé). “Google” those Lip sync Battles. They’re hilarious! All of the artists are so creative. What great talents.

I have to admit that the politics, mainly in the US, but all over the world, have gotten me weighed down since I’ve come back, I can only watch 3 or 4 minutes of “Breaking News” then I have to turn to some mindless show, or comedic movie, or binge Cooking shows. Honestly, I think I’m actually depressed. I’m Grieving!!

I couldn't figure out why I felt so Sad in my Heart. 💔 so I looked up the definition of grieving. Here is a definition I found of the stages of grief :

The seven emotional stages of grief are usually understood to be:

-shock or disbelief,

-denial,

-bargaining,

-guilt,

-anger,

-depression,

-acceptance/hope.

Symptoms of grief can be emotional, physical, social, in nature.

I think I am in the first stage of Grief. I’m definitely grieving: civility, kindness, truth, and community unity. I can’t wait until I get to the final stage. I want to help change the things I cannot accept. I need some hope!

Speaking of hope, a friend of my daughter April and I, (Parker C. Johnson), a Justice Warrior, a Mentor, an Organizer, and Resistor, (who is Role-modelling what he is advising us to do) just reminded us of what Martin Luther King Jr. said: “To ignore evil is to become complicit to it”. Parker has been reminding us to speak out in whatever way we can. Reminding us that these shock and awe tactics by politicians, bureaucrats, and their accomplices, is carefully designed to overwhelm us. He’s reminding us of the truth; “they are not going after “those people”, we are “them”! Unfortunately, some of us don’t realize it yet, but we are all in jeopardy.” Most importantly he’s been reminding all of us “distance is not optional”, and encouraging us to be engaged with other people and groups that grasp the urgency for action in these political times and reminding us of the fact that we are more powerful and effectual in reaching our goals if we work in solidarity.

I am adding some poems Ive written that echo those ideas and ideals. I’m hoping my words will give us some encouragement and strength to draw on, and remind us of our Power. Some of the poems I wrote long ago, and some more recently. My wish is that they give you inspiration, let you tap into your inner warrior, and give you ideas and strategies that you can focus on as you join in The Resistance.

************************************************************************************

This first poem I wrote trying to express the sorrow I was feeling about what is happening in the world and all around us, and what feelings and questions I have in my mind and in my heart about what’s going on.

Ashes and Tears

I saw the Sun cry today

It wept long White droplets of tears

Into the crimson sky

And the moon disappeared last night

Dissolved

And crumbled

Before my very eyes

(Its ashes covered a million stars)

And I wonder why our earth is tilting

And tumbling

And moaning

And rumbling

And splitting at the seams

And I wonder

Is there anything we can do to soothe it?

(This next poem I wrote is speaking to our Governments)

You Promised Me

You promised me “for better or for worse”

You’d stand beside me

Well …

I haven’t seen better for a while

And I’m standing here without you.

You said you would protect our children

Educate

Maintain them

Yet they have to loan

And indent themselves

To you

In order to build themselves a future.

You promised me

Freedoms

And Rights

Securities

And hope

Yet here I am walking the streets

In the heat of the day

To protest

That I can barely afford

The fuel for my car

The food on my table

The clothes for my back

The roof o’re my head.

You promised me, “for better or for worse”

Well …

the worse is here now

And I will walk the streets

And I will picket

And I will protest

Thru these lean times

Thru the pain

And

I’ll fight you

Unrelenting

Until you keep your bargain.

(This next poem is what I am hoping for)

Another Generation of Freedom Fighters

Threaten me

Taze me

Ziptie me

Drag me away

You won’t silence my voice

Intimidate

Arrest and jail me

Even locked up tight

You can not hide me

I am no longer invisible

Threaten me

Handcuff

Drag me away

That won’t muzzle me

You only shed more light on the truth

Of the urgency to fight

For equal justice

equal rights

and freedoms

Shed light on the truth of your senseless wars

On the urgency to protect these sacred lands

And the purity of our waters

And the air we breathe.

Brutalize

Dehumanize

Drag me away

But realize

The eyes of the world are on you now

More hearts and minds are open to the truth

That ultimately, you are willing to kill us all

To keep your systems and maintain your Status Quo

That ultimately,

You are willing to kill us all

In order to have the power to control us.

Together

Struggle

Challenge

Stand up

Shout

Together.

Link

Join

Empower

Recognize

Organize …

Together.

Diversify

Rectify

Connect

Build anew

Together

Let egos,

And anger

And pain

And injustices from the past

Go free

And then

Positive
Powerful

And miraculous things will happen

For all of us …

If we do the work

Together

This next poem speaks to what Parker C. Johnson was talking about when he said we have to support each other through these times and we have to make and keep connections and make Community and Family, and we can carve out a positive future.

Family

You can create a family

mold one with love, like soft red clay.

Shape it smooth it, soothe it, blow on it gently.

You can repair the scars of tragedy,

chip at them faithful, everyday.

Shape them, smooth them, soothe them, blow on them

Gently.

You can re-scribe your history

chisel barricades away.

You can create a family.

Shape it, smooth it, soothe it, blow on it gently.

**********************************************************************

February is Black History Month. This is one of my favourite months followed by March, another favourite month, because it is International Women’s Month.

February’s Black History Month is the time to expand your family and community and join together with Black families and other families celebrating and commemorating Black History Month. There are going to be all kinds of events in February. There will be events at your local Libraries, Museums, Theatres, Dance Studios, Bookstores , Community Clubs, Athletic Clubs, Night Clubs, Schools, Parks, etc. Check your local newspapers, your Facebook groups, your Substack groups, Community Newspapers, and ask all the Movers and Shakers in your community: What’s going on for Black Histor Month?

There will be activities in our communities all across the country. I’m excited to be invited to present a Black History Zoom Presentation for my Niece, Shira, for her Grade 6 class at the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School ( in Toronto) for her Grade 6 students. It’s going to be great to present and do Q and A with them afterwards.

I’m only posting a couple of events that I know of. Please take your time to check out some of your sources and join in learning about and celebrating History wherever you live in the world. It is it time for learning things that weren’t taught or talked. about in our schools, our universities, and even in our homes. This month is a time for Music, Storytelling, Feasting, and Frolicking. Please, please get out and enjoy it. If you don’t have the opportunity, or if you’re not able to get out, there are lots of events happening online. Just Google: February Black History events wherever you live in the world:

February Black History events:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gallery881.com%2Fexhibitions%2Fvalerie-d-walker-pelagic-transformations-exhibition&data=05%7C02%7C%7C421e9f2fe2de4144375b08dd417bdf5f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638738722495596839%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ph5wuEWWZvXt8wAu9852lMH1d7JDqWdJo7mqqdnD37k%3D&reserved=0

* Kelowna Black History Month Celebration 2025 February 22nd At: The Black Box Theatre, 1375 Water Street Kelowna B.C. V1Y OB4

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrate-black-history-month-with-moringue-reunion-island-martial-arts-tickets-1220209311899?aff=oddtdtcreator
Hogan’s Alley Event: February 8th
See: their .website at: hogansallrysociety.org
Starting February 1st with their launch, all through February
The BC Black History Awareness Society is having a series of great events. See their Website: bcblackhistory.ca
See the Month’s Calendar of all the Winnipeg Black History Month Events go to : bhmwinnipeg.com
I Hope you have a great February.🎉🎉 🎶🎶🎶. I know these days are hard and challenging so make sure you take time out to do lots of self-care. Make sure you make it a goal to seek supports and community (are there in person or online) Make sure you write out your thoughts (if only to yourself), try to speak up and speak out and try to create Your Family. Don’t forget to include exercising, and dancing. I had a Zoom “Chair Yoga” Class with the marvelous Glory,
of “Glory Last Yoga”, And much to my delight taking the class took my stress and tension level down to zero!!!! The heaviness weighing on my heart was gone. I hope it lasts till next week . I would highly recommend Yoga in any form! And music! I recommend music.
Listen to lots of music, beacause like Bob Marley said:
“Fight the Power’ . ♥️

This Little Light of Mine: Addena’s Substack

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