My Pen and Me: Exploring the Creative Mind...

By Brigette Lewis

This book is intended to bring to the fore important matters that go unnoticed. Matters which can have real and lasting effect on people’s lives. Communication of solid stuff through attention-getting stories/articles, and recordings for future generations.
The author has had the opportunity to interview a number of persons and have written a number of articles on their journey for the Guyana National Newspapers. She has also shared some of her own personal experiences, sadness and joys.
Readers will read and enjoy those seasons with nostalgia - those memories of the good old days they tend to overlook and never apply in the face of challenges or problem solving. She has attempted to reveal her experiences gained from travelling, reading, meeting people, seeing places and somehow setting the agenda that can create solutions to the problems faced in some communities. This book is very informative and is a true reflection of what took place in that era. It is written to expose the quality of life that obtained then, and how the people dealt with it.
The articles are not only informative, entertaining, moving, educational and well researched, but the author has used tips, quotes, facts, scriptures and stories consistently to relax, cultivate peaceful and contented spirits, and to motivate readers to continue reading. Could you imagine spending your days without inculcating such values?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716892660

Book preview

Lewis

Copyright © 2020 Brigette Lewis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored,

or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical,

or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the

case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized

reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher

make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book

and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

ISBN: 978-1-7168-9267-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7168-9266-0 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

Unless marked otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,

Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 04/21/2020

NOTE TO READERS

Selected and revised articles first published in the Guyana National Newspapers Limited 2004- 2013

Brigette Angela Douglas Lewis

44 Duncan Street

Campbellville

Georgetown

Guyana

E-mail:[e-mail]

PREFACE

Whenever I am asked where I got my ideas to write these articles, I would say, from God. Writing occasionally over the years had been a mere hobby - but it was not until I retired finally that I took it seriously.

I remembered taking a walk one afternoon in the National Park and asking God what he would have me do since I had retired and distinctly hearing him say, Write. My response was what shall I write and He said, I will guide you. Since that day, God has been guiding me.

People have told me how much their lives have changed after reading the articles. I noted that when God wants a message to reach his people he always inspires and guides. Some of these articles have been published and the responses have been overwhelming.

God works with us to get His messages out to His people. This I truly believe.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank God for His guidance and for sending those who have inspired and encouraged me as I humbly highlight the significance, the importance, as well as the ordinary moments of life.

I have learnt much from the people whom I have interviewed and whose stories are recorded in the articles. They are too many to name, and they form a diverse group. They have never denied me entrance to their most confidential material.

To my friend Megan Anderson, my children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law and son-in-law for reading my scripts, and letting me know whether they are in keeping with the interests of my readers.

And finally, to the management and staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited for their skilled and perceptive command of the style and usage; their quick mind blessed with the ability to cut through the jargon and get to the heart of the matters. The sensitive ability to engage me and make me proud when I read my own articles, have overwhelmed me.

Brigette Lewis

Georgetown, Guyana

CHAPTER I

A Time For Adventure

and Relaxation

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TAKING A VACATION AND

SMELLING THE DAISIES

AS I LOOKED out the window, I could not help but notice how quickly the leaves lose their colour, disappear off the trees and also how the breeze transports them through the air, scurry them across the streets, into gutters, drains, sidewalks and pavements and finally landing on the lawns adorning them in an array of colour.

And when the weather is fine, I love to hear the crunch of the leaves as children, grown-ups and even the animals step cautiously on them. I too am guilty of this little aside.

I also love to look at the trees as they stand stripped of their leaves, fragile and exposed to the elements. Just imagine them embracing the fresh breeze as it courses through their skeletal framework. None but the casuarinas remain; soon its limb will be adorned with lights to usher in the Christmas spirit.

Pollen pollutes the air; allergies rise. There is an aroma of mystery. But all that will end as the lawns and sidewalks are vacuumed and the leaves taken to the furnace.

This is autumn. Very soon it will be winter. The rains have begun to fall and it is very misty. Oops! It’s snowing already! Sometimes it is difficult to see the road. Some people get through accident-free while others fall victim to the slippery snowflakes. How cold it is now; not a single leaf remains to entertain this moist atmosphere. And even though the sun retires earlier, and the moon refuses to shine, I will still take my morning or evening walks – allowing the snowflakes to fall gently on my face.

The freedom is mine to strut around. Dogs wag their tails, their tongues out-stretched, and their owners nodding their heads as they pass each other.

Soon it would be snowing heavier and the skeletons will nobly wear their cloaks of ice. Animals will hibernate to warmer climates; skiers will gravitate towards the ski resorts, and ice hockey will dominate. I must return to the warm South America.

Before taking this vacation, I didn’t have an appreciation for what was in my own backyard. I never noticed. I am seeing my walk to the seawall, gardens or park in a new light now. It is very hot and the grass withers. Sometimes it rains and