A true friend for life🙏.

The Miracle of Friendship by Mayo Angelo.

A Miracle called friendship Dwells within the heart

You don't know how it happens Or when it gets it's start

But the happiness it brings you, Always gives a special lift

Then you realize that friendship Is one of God's most precious gifts!

It was my special blessing and precious gift from God to have had Ann Marie Hinds as a friend, for as I often tell everyone, she virtually saved my life.

So while her death from her point of view was a great relief, for me, her friends and family, it's a great loss. 

 For if there was ever an irreplaceable human being, it was my late Guyanese sister Ann-Marie Hinds nee Defreitas.

I first met Ann Marie around thirty five years ago when she and her young children accompanied her then husband Bill, who was transferred from Guyana to Jamaica, to head a division of the corporate office of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. (CIBC).

Ann Marie with one of her twin boys, Gino and I in November 2024.

 They had three very young children (including twin boys) but when the British High Commission in Jamaica needed someone who spoke English and Portuguese urgently to fulfill a temporary assignment,  they prevailed on her to assist them as she had lived for years in Brazil.

 However what should have been a temporary role there soon evolved into permanent employment and she spent quite a few years working there and living very nearby.

With Shadrach (partly hidden) on same occasion.

The Miracle of her importance to our lives was played out in July 1995 when Thor, my only son, who had just fathered his son Shadrach, was murdered.

If you have never trod that path, the effect of such an occurrence can never be understood.

For during that agonizing period of tragedy and shock, neither Michelle (Shadrach mom) nor I were capable of doing anything.

 And I mean anything, much less tending to the needs of a six week old baby.

But it was during period that God's special gift to us stepped in. For every afternoon after work, Ann Marie would drive past her own home without stopping, to head straight to our home, to bathe, feed and tend to our new born.

 I don't recall how many days or weeks she continued that absolutely essential act of mercy and goodness, but the blessings of having such a friend when we most needed it, can never be forgotten or repaid.

We were so happy to see her on Thanksgiving Day 2024.

As the years went by and some memories of that tragedy faded, our friendship grew stronger and when she returned to Guyana, I went and spent three wonderful weeks there with her.

But I have never been able to come even close to repaying her for the critical, life-saving role she played in our lives when we needed it most.

It was therefore especially devastating when around eighteen months ago, she visited Florida and during her time here, got ill and and was diagnosed with cancer. 

Guyana has a very advanced cancer treatment center, so she returned home and had to have two operations and undergo painful and debilitating bouts of chemotherapy.

 I was however overjoyed when she called in November 2024 to say she was feeling a little better, so was coming to Florida to again see her family and spend a few weeks with me.

It was during that visit that she started to feel unbearable pain and when we went to the ER, they discovered that the evil disease had gone into her liver. 

But the woman of courage that Ann Marie was, decided to accept her pending death, for as far as she was concerned, the treatment was worse than the disease.

(L) granddaughter Rayane, (R) daughter Anjeta.

If you have ever felt you owed someone your life but are unable to do anything to help them in their time of suffering, you may begin to understand how inadequate and useless I have felt during the months of her intensive pain and suffering.

For the agonizing pain she bravely confronted for months on end, was excruciating and heart-wrenching.

Yes, now her pain is finally gone but the impact she had on our lives will forever live on in our hearts.

Till we meet again, walk good mi fren.😥.

I love 💞 Mihninthale

I love the splendor of Buddhist Temples, but what I can't deal with is having to remove my shoes. For when my 175 pounds goes down on granite stones, it nuh nice😩.

Asians tend to be small and slim so I  guess, dem nuh  feel di pain like me.😭

Anyway when the pain receded, I decided I would do it all over again just to re-live the joy of having been there.

Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka at Mihninthale around 250 BCE, by monks sent from India. 

This historic event took place in the month of Poson, (June), so large hordes of Buddhists make their pilgrimage 

 there during that period each year.

As the site of the birth of that religion on the island some 2500 years ago, it's cherished, not only by, local adherents of the Buddhist religion but also historians and archeologists from all over the world.

A huge statue of Lord Buddha overlooks the site.

I make no claim about being an historian or archeologist, but have long been fascinated by the philosophies of Lord Buddha including his dedication to peaceful coexistence and generosity towards all categories that inhabit this planet. I  a

also relish in enjoying the amazing beauty and artistry that goes into the construction and care of these temples.

It's an UNESCO heritage site 

Signs warn you never to turn your back to any statue of Buddha when takin pics.

Many temples display replicas of Budda's foot.

Let sleeping dogs lie😊.

This huge contraption was where cooked rice was dispensed from, to the original monks who resided there!

Religious adherents come from all over to express their love and devotion.

The art work inside is absolutely beautiful.

One of the many residences built in the huge granite rocks at the original site.

Remnants of the original building constructed in 250 BCE, for dining, gathering and even a bathroom for the monks.

The remains of a meditation hall built some 2500 years ago.

Oh those steps were challenging.

My greatest concern with such areas though, is descending, not really ascending as I always remember Professor Damith's warning to me when coming from all heights, "Joan, you have to be careful, for remember old bones don't heal easily."

That warning was given to me quite a few years ago, when these bones were even a bit younger!

I had carelessly "flown" down Jacks Hill in Kingston, Jamaica on my bicycle and crashed at a round about in Hope Pastures, when he rode up and saw me suffering on the ground😩.

Because of the damage to my shoulder, it took me about three weeks before I could raise my right arm.

So how can I ever forget that admonition when descending from great heights?

The original meditation hall at Mihninthale 

Love the view from above

Me climb up to the top? No sah.

Why is it so many religious leaders of differing beliefs always seem to find such high points to build on? 

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-holy-meteora.html?m=1

Met this young man who is aspiring to become a Buddhist monk.

He says he is 18 but looked a lot younger. Spoke perfect English, Sinhalese and Tamil languages.

My friends were all over 

Another residence in a huge granite rock.

Remnants of the bathroom in the original building.

The toilet area. You better learn to stoop even now.

It was a very breezy day.

Descending gingerly!

I was promised good karma if I could ring the bell three times. I did😊. (With some difficulty.) 

I really enjoyed touring this site as it was early and the crowd had not yet arrived.

Link

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2025/05/now-thats-royal.html?m=1