Tamika - My Childhood Best Friend

by Yvette Faye
(Harbour View, Kingston, Jamaica)


Tamika, or Tammy as you are affectionately called by me, I'm happy that I know you ... my childhhod BFF (best friend forever) from Harbour View, where I have been living for over forty-one years.

We grew up as childhood friends, lost connection and then reconnected again with joy and eager anticipation.

You found me, and we shared our journeys, trials, pains & triumphs with each other.

For that I'm still happy to call you my FRIEND and I will always love you. I love and applaud Ian (aka Mr. Optimist) for his stance in supporting you, while maintaining his strength of character as a man, and I love the extension of both of you that was born by the name of Ayale, with whom you share your life's journey.

We got reconnected on October 26, 2010, and we shared, telephone numbers, Email addresses, pictures of our kids & family, as we reminisced on our childhood days, amongst laughter & tears.

You even trusted me enough after all these years to share the rough draft of your book which you plan on publishing.

I was moved to tears and heightened expectations, in taking the journey of your life.

We were always open and honest with each other, so you expected nothing less but the straight forward, down-to-earth from the heart ... TRUTH.

The tears flowed steadily behind my glasses fogging my eyes, I wretched in my stomach and thought how could you really have endured such pain.

Tammy, it wasn't an easy road you travelled but thank God you had the strength to survive, and you will be able to enlighten and help millions of women in speaking to them through the voice of your book.

We continue to share everything in our lives, as our friendship has been cemented, anchored & fastened in Christ who is the author of our lives, who directs our paths, and from whom we draw strength.

Yes, you even send me pictures of the lizards that you know I'm petrified of, even though we live at two different ends of the island.

I'm elated for you my BFF, Ian and Ayale, as I pray God's umbrella of protection over you, your home and place of business, and every visitor local or foreign that walks the ground.

I love you Tammy and I am ecstatic for every golden burst of success that envelopes your lives.

The poem, 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou, I dedicate to you ... you are indeed a PHENOMENAL WOMAN!!!


Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise.
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise.
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise.
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise.
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise,
I rise,
I rise.





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