The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrant's Life

By Freda Belizaire Laurent RN MSN MPA

The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrant's Life is the autobiography of a Haitian teenager's way of life before emigration, when her family's equilibrium was suddenly disturbed by her father's death. As the youngest of her family of eight, she was looking at all her siblings, trying to find in one of them the father she just lost. The memories Freda captured of all siblings, relatives, and neighbors speak of the culture and the resulting imbalance she lived--role changes that were taking place within the family. Each sibling rose to their best self but eventually immigrated to the states. She took along with her the childhood tunes of long bygone days referred to in "Childhood Memories." We enjoy singing them while vacationing or at our family reunions. From early on in life, Freda chose to grab hold of the pearls of wisdom found in spirituality. This vital connection prayer has graced her with five life miracles during her life. She does not take for granted all the divergences and convergences of the actors in her life sceneries. She is thankful knowing they are part of the ultimate plan of God and for her own good. Career development and challenges were many through her immigrant's lens. Divine intercession is clear in her struggle with marital life commitment within a generational shift in family relational values from Haitian old culture to a mix of many. It has been a long journey from her native land to Boston and to Florida as a transition of twenty-six years, rich in community activities, spirituality search, connection, and growth. Cultural longing fostered the creation of the citronelle tea, a reminiscence of homeland childhood enjoyment. To God be the glory. The return home is very tumultuous as years creep on and the neocolonial boycotting agenda for Haiti continues to chase patriots away from their dreamland since 1803. The first Black republic is being drowned by its former slave-keeping nations still in 2022. The collective journey continues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685704070

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The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrant's Life

Freda Belizaire Laurent, RN, MSN, MPA

ISBN 978-1-68570-406-3 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68570-407-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Freda Belizaire Laurent, RN, MSN, MPA

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Freda's Childhood Memories

Family Picture

Freda's Childhood Memories: Family Picture

Chapter 1

Childhood Memories

Chapter 2

How Faith Can Shape Our Destiny

Chapter 3

Converging Roads

Chapter 4

Which Two Shall Be One?

Chapter 5

In Pursuit of Career and Deferred Dreams

Chapter 6

The In-Laws' Entry into the Family

Chapter 7

Our Florida Journey

Chapter 8

My Year of Breakthrough

Chapter 9

The Journey Back Home

Chapter 10

Life Beyond Retirement and Challenges

Chapter 11

When I See You Again

References

About the Author

The many layers of life are complex, and each layer is as equally important and incomplete without one another for the successful development of an individual!

Dedication

To the loving memory of my beloved mother, Carmen Louis (1911 –2002), who was a one-of-a-kind woman and mother. She taught us how to be the wind beneath someone's wings, which she was for us. She taught us to fly on our own and be supportive of others. Equally important are the unfading memories of my father, Jean Belizaire (1912–1963), whose iron hands behind all our intellectual stimulations transmitted to the family the importance of education. May their memories remain undying through these pages for future Belizaire/Laurent generations.

Special thoughts go to my loving husband, Guy Laurent, and our two beautiful grown children, Eshe Chinyere and Ade'Aja. The same goes to the Belizaire family for the continued, often unspoken love and dedication that bind us together and for giving me such a solid love foundation.

This book is a testimony of the many ways God has worked with love in my life. May it enlighten many others who may not be aware yet of the magnitude of His power, goodness, and forever presence.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

—Psalm 23 (KJV)

Foreword

Every hu man being has a story to tell, the beautiful and the sad part of their life. Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege or the opportunity to share the achievements, the successes, the struggles, and the frustrations that accompany them.

I am blessed today to be part of a legacy—a story that is being offered to everyone to share with my dear sister Freda, a journey not yet at a destination but full of inspiration, of success through love and devotion. Life is a learning process; the more we advance in age, the more we have the possibility to capture the essence of life to determine our purpose on earth and distinguish the difference between the flashing brilliance of the gold of Midas and the real beauty of the love that binds us, the children of the same Father.

There are high spots in our lives, and most of the time, they come through encouragement from someone. Surely by sharing her unfinished life story, the reader will find the courage to pursue his dreams and merit the applause we all hunger for.

Someone said, If one does not learn something every day, he is an idiot. I would add: it is not only learning but the application of the knowledge acquired that makes the difference. A friend confided in me his passion for reading autobiographies. They are, as he said, a rich source of knowledge, participating in someone else's difficulties, decision-making, successes, and triumphs.

It does take a lot of courage to bare it all to the world to see, and I consider the hard work of our little sister Freda as master of public administrator/master of science in nursing, with bold community leadership, an act of prowess, and a gift to the Belizaire/Laurent generations and to the world at large.

Her achievements are in no doubt a source of inspiration that only come to those who look for opportunity and seize the moment with unwavering zeal. May the next generation find that feverish enthusiasm through love and devotion to others.

The poet Robert Browning said: My business is not to remake myself but to make the absolute best of what God made.

I hope that the reading of this book inspires, motivates, and teaches the reader how an immigrant through sheer vision and love has accomplished so much and is on her way to reach her goal and final destination.

Jean Claude Belizaire

Acknowledgments

First, I would like to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for having been my ever-shining Light, my constant Leader, and my faithful Supporter and Companion throughout my long and arduous journey.

To the artist, Turgeau Bastien, for the talent that God imparted to him to create such a precious piece of art that represents life development to me, urging its selection as the book cover. I thank you and Lisedor Derisier for agreeing to let me use it.

To my two brothers Jean Claude and Renal, for their encouragement and input into the contents of the manuscript.

To my family and friends who have encouraged me over the years to pursue this dream to fruition.

Introduction

Isn't it fascinating how the roads of our lives intertwine into a wonderfully organized web beyond our imagination and comprehension? Like the spider, we begin to design that web at birth; and without being aware of its evolution, we look back later to realize how magnificently it has evolved with or without our conscious contribution.

It is even more amazing when I realized that God had granted me the privilege to remember many of the names and faces of all those who have crossed my paths over the years from childhood as friends or relatives, neighbors, and teachers. I am still in contact with most of my friends.

I often wonder, what is the purpose of my life? I also wish I could just wave a magic wand and find the answer. Life would be so much simpler. Whenever I come to converging roads of life, there would be no hesitation, and I would select the choice which would more seemingly bring me to my desired destination. On this convoluted road of life, I stop at different stations to quench my thirst. Sometimes the water tastes so good, and the air is so fresh that I want to open my tent and stay for a while. Sometimes that while turns out to be much longer than expected. The long respite in that tent, when I lie down sometimes in green pastures and sometimes on dry leaves, becomes an integral part of that web that is evolving. While I am there, He restores my soul. Then I continue moving on the road.

The memories of my life events and the significant actors who have paraded its scenes have encouraged me to undertake this venture as they sound fascinating in so many ways, given many facets of my yet short life.

I hope to contribute in whatever way possible on any aspect of Haiti's development. I started there in that beautiful island, and I long for the ultimate purpose of going back to close the loop of my life in Haiti while also stimulating and empowering others to do the same.

Freda's Childhood Memories

Family Picture

Freda's Childhood Memories: Family Picture

Chapter 1

Childhood Memories

Where no wood is, there the fire goes out.

—Proverbs 26:20 (KJV)

There needs to be a storyteller. Therefore, put your hat on, and let's go live some precious moments.

I grew up in a Haitian family of eight siblings in Pétion-Ville, Haiti. The Belizaire property was located two houses away from the open market on Geffrard Street. Besides our main five-room house, there were two other smaller rental units of one and two bedrooms where usually I had children companion to play with. Lelene was my friend and play companion. She lived in one of the rentals with her parents. We had makeshift toy houses, paper dolls, rag dolls, and furniture. We tried to replicate what other wealthier children of our age were playing with.

My mom was an entrepreneur at our five-and-dime store where she sold groceries to smaller vendors from the open market nearby. She also baked some pastries, cookies, and candies for the youth and general items like in a convenience store. Dad also shared the load when Mom needed to attend to other aspects of her business.

*****

It was an early evening on a weekday after school. I had already tidied my dolls to get them ready for bedtime. I had finished my French spelling assignment and was so happy to play with my paper dolls, teaching them the alphabet I just mastered, when I heard: Where is Freda? My mom called from the front boutique where she was selling groceries at the store. She was also supervising our after-school activities. Running from my paper dolls after I promised them to return, I went to my mom.

I am here, Manman.

Well, did you do your homework for the evening yet? she asked.

Yes, Manman.

I saw Meme Durocher today, she said, looking at me. Meme Durocher said she was so proud of how you are coming along learning French. Mom was smiling away with joy.

Meme Durocher ran a small elementary school located about a twenty-minute walk from my house. She was a caucasian woman who worked from home. Her yard was large enough to accommodate playground equipment of different kinds we enjoyed at recess.

Manman, I did so good in my handwriting lesson today and got a beautiful star. I proceeded to run and grab my book bag to proudly show her. She glanced at it and gave me a big hug. I doubt she looked at anything else besides my star.

Can I go back to play with my dolls now, Mom?

No. Go get cleaned up for dinner first, she said while attending to a child who came to buy some candies.

Yes, Manman.

My sister Mona would usually walk me to school at Meme Durocher's school then proceed to her own, named Anne Marie Javouey, a congregation school about fifteen minutes away. That was the school day routine: once I would return home from school with Mona (four years my elder), I salute my mom with a warm kiss and run to say hi to my dolls that I missed. Since I started attending elementary school at Meme Durocher, I was no longer a baby; therefore, I could no longer play all day like before while my brothers and sisters were in school.

Obediently, I went looking for Mona to see what the routine of the evening entailed. Mona was seriously studying from many books and notebooks opened on the dining room table. Still wearing her school clothes, she quickly lifted her eyes with a friendly half smile in a yawn. With a hand signal, she sent me to find Arnous, our butler, to help me set up for cleaning and dinner.

Sociologically speaking, we are shaped by our environment. We emulate those we come in constant contact with at different stages in life, especially those who have a greater impact on our lives during our formative years.

I did many retrospective reviews, which each time shed a different light on the many influences of my life for better or worse. We choose the friends we have in life, but God chooses which family we are born into. His plan supersedes ours. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not onto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Prov. 3:5–6).

Born at the general hospital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1953, I grew up in Pétion-Ville, a suburb nestled in the hills, right outside of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. I was brought up by two overprotective parents.

Certain individuals claim that they can remember events and/or people from their childbirth. I do not seem to remember till my first year at kindergarten when I began to realize that there was another life outside of the four walls of the Belizaire family circle and property.

Searching through the mazes of early faces and events brought me full circle to the family, close neighbors, and extended family circles. Of primary significance was my mom, the backbone of our family.

I was ten years old when my father bid us goodbye. My contact circle outside of the family widened after he died, as did that of my older siblings. I lived in Pétion-Ville till the age of seventeen, when I traveled with my mother, Carmen, for the United States in September 1970.

My mom was the middle child of four. She had two sisters and a brother. Growing up, I became aware that we were part of a large family with some cousins that I knew and others I was barely acquainted with. My older auntie Meme Dupas had two sons and three daughters who lived in our neighborhood. My uncle Jonathas, a storyteller, had one son and two daughters who visited sometimes. His oldest daughter, Fenise, became like a sibling to my oldest sister, Mama. Auntie Leonne, the youngest, had three daughters.

Of all my cousins, Auntie Leonne's children were of the same age-group as my mom's children for us to become friends. Gerda and Bebe became close friends with my sister Mona. Leslie, the youngest, became my cousin-friend. Even though everyone is geographically separated by distance over the years, these relationships remain true. Gerda stayed in Haiti and had her own family there while Bebe and Leslie have their families respectively in Canada and Texas. I had the wonderful occasion of visiting Leslie in 2004 and Bebe, the daughter-caretaker of my auntie, in 2005.

I can still see myself at the age of five in what I perceive as a big house, surrounded by my six older brothers and sisters, from the same mother and father. Madeleine, the oldest, was married and lived with her husband, not too far from us, in the same town. My other siblings were always busy doing their own thing, which at that age I could not figure out what they could be.