The Illness That Brings Me Joy

By Jacqueline Heidi Rivers

The title of my book is The Illness That Brings Me Joy. This illness uplifted me and I find greatness in it. My writing is inspirational and will help people in a positive way. My book can act as a counteractive measure in this difficult time. I got sick a couple of times that did not stop me from reaching my goals. I am compliant. I took my treatment which is my medication and therapy. I function very well. God put me here for a special purpose to help people who are suffering from Mental Problems. My writing is to change the world and make it a better place. I can make a difference. Yes, I can.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369407356

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Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline Heidi Rivers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.

Rev. date: 10/02/2023

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¹This

book has been my life-long project of stories based on miracles, humor, and emotion that have always been important to me. I want to impart my knowledge to all my readers, therefore, I am writing about these experiences so that others can learn, benefit from them, and find comfort. These occurrences demonstrate our existence and stand as testimonies to the goodness and joy that exist in the world.

The world is so negative today, and people are wrought with pain and burdened with stress. I believe that my stories definitely have a positive side and will be an inspiration to all who read them; they can act as counteractive measures to the negative times. I personally have struggled with an illness that has helped me to see the goodness and kindness in life.

What I have experienced stands as my struggle and great effort toward my understanding and happiness. I am thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to write it all down and impart my knowledge to all my readers. I am sure that everyone will find these accounts interesting, exciting, and intriguing.

I was a brilliant child born on a picturesque and beautiful island. I grew up in Ocho Rios, a lovely village in Jamaica.

Ocho Rios is a pleasant, town with the ocean, the most striking feature of the area,- was within walking distance from our dwelling. My parents were very successful businesspeople. Together, they operated a convenience store that comprised a grocery store, a meat shop, and a clothing store all in one. The business was very prosperous, and the people of Ocho Rios all supported their thriving endeavors.

My parents, Irene and George, are kind and understanding folks. Their attitude toward everyone, and especially toward us, their four children, my two brothers Radcliffe and Anthony, Adella, and me, Jacqueline, was that of kindness and understanding. Their medium-sized department store was a flourishing business and required a great deal of time. However, my parents would always find time to teach us, their four children, the three Rs: reading, writing, and arithmetic. They would bring home stacks of books, and buy educational toys such as magnetic letters, flashcards, puzzles, and toys that required brains to build. Everything they could find for our edification and culture.

Among my many memories, I remember that one day, at the age of two, I sneaked away from home with the intention of going to school. A friend of my parents, Kikky, happened to see me on the busy street with a book and a pencil in my hand. He asked me why was I on the street by myself; I replied that I was going to school to learn how to read and write. Kikky grabbed me by my hand and quickly walked me home from the busy street. My parents were shocked; they thought that I was playing in my room. Thank God for Kikky who happened to be in my path to protect me from danger! I could have been killed on the busy street, but I was oblivious to the danger, I was determined to get an education!

What an amazing ambition I had at age two! At that time, Jamaican children went to school at four. Many were the times when I stopped to think how important and wonderful our creator is! Surely, God put me here for a very special purpose.

I loved to sing at age 2. I would take a spoon and some times a ruler in my hand, use it as a make-believe microphone, and sing my heart out! I would tell my parents that someday I’ll be on television and that my talent will be recognized! I was a carefree, full-of-fun child with a deep love for education, song, and dance, and I loved to write. My parents were always very encouraging. They would say, You can be anything you want, follow your dreams, believe in yourself and most of all have faith and trust in God. These powerful and motivating words were unforgettable from my caring parents. They have guided and inspired me since my childhood.

My first day in school is etched in my mind. Ms. Brown, my teacher, taught us reading and spelling such as cat and mat. She also taught us to sing I’m a Yankie Doodle Dandy went to town a-riding on a pony.

Now I have two children. I have taught them the same songs, and that I had learned them as a child, they enjoy them even more because I sang them as a child!

Yankee Doodle went to town

A-riding on a pony

Stuck a feather in his hat

And called it macaroni.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy.

Father and I went down to camp

Along with Captain Gooding

And there we saw the men and boys

As thick as hasty pudding.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy

There was Captain Washington

Upon a slapping stallion

A-giving orders to his men

I guess there was a million.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy.

On my second day in school, a classmate, Susan, stole my lunch. I was overwhelmed and cried and cried. Susan was from a poor family so I think that she did not have lunch and was hungry. Eventually, I forgave her, and we became friends again.

I liked school more and more. The school opened my eyes and my mind; it seemed as though I was discovering a whole new world. During recess, I loved to play games with my classmates and invent new ideas. The games I played with my classmates were skipping, using my ruler, and singing Yankee Doodle. I would show the other children how to play educational games similar to Jeopardy. I would write questions on the paper and ask the student what is 2+2, and 4+3; some of the students would get it right and others would get it wrong. I stayed at Brown’s School until I was nine. Now I was ready for new horizons.

My parents sent us to a private school. Then I passed an exam and went to a prominent high school. It was a first-rate institution for learning. There were excellent teachers and very competitive students. There were about three hundred students on campus. The dress code all the school children wore was a green and white design uniform that looked sophisticated and fashionable. I liked the dress code. My school life was very enjoyable, I did well academically, and I got along well with most of my classmates and teachers. .

My brother Anthony was only five years old when I started high school. My brother, Radcliffe dressed in khaki pants and a white shirt with a red necktie. He was amongst the smart ones; he was an exceptional student there.

One day after school, we boarded a blue van that drove us home. When we reached our destination, I paid my fare. unfortunately, Radcliffe misplaced his fare. The cost was only ten cents, but it just so happened that I never carried any more money than my own fare, so I did not have another ten cents to pay for Radcliffe. The conductor became angry because Radcliffe did not have his fare; he pushed Radcliffe off the moving vehicle. Radcliffe fell in the street. I and a few passers-by brought him to the doctor. He had suffered bruises and quite a lot of pain for several days. My parents decided to take legal action; they sued the bus company and won.

This was such an appalling experience—I could have lost my brother. What a heartbreaking incident—for a mere ten cents! How could an adult, a big strong driver be so cruel as to push a child into the street while the vehicle was in motion? This world never ceases to amaze me! And divine retribution truly exists! The conductor, Lee was his name, is now sickly, and can no longer work. Whereas my brother, Radcliffe has become a successful businessman. He owns his own store and operates a painting business in Canada. Whenever Radcliffe went home to Jamaica for a vacation, he assisted Lee financially! He has never forgotten his childhood incident! How uncanny that Lee’s benefactor is no less than Radcliffe the child he threw into the street from a moving vehicle!

Radcliffe has a forgiving nature and has always been a God-fearing and believing young man.

This is a lesson everyone should learn. Always be kind and nice to others: You never know who will someday be one of your guardian angels who will help you in your hour of need.

I only want to share real stories that have miracles that the Lord has graced me and my family with.

At the age of twelve, my teacher noticed that I was having a vision problem. Sometimes I mistook one word for another. My teacher, Ms. Johnson, was concerned and spoke to my mother about my vision problem. She then introduced my mother to a very good optometrist.

My mother took me there; the optometrist tested my eyes and prescribed glasses. However, the glasses did not do any good for me because my eyes would burn and I could barely see where I was going. I felt as if I was floating in space with those prescription glasses.

Then, I was diagnosed with diabetes. This incurable disease started affecting my eyesight, then I was told by my doctor to get distance glasses.

My sister Adella is the oldest, older than Radcliffe, Anthony, and I. She is our sister by our father and his first wife.

We got along very well. She had been also a student of the same

high school. Her grades were very good in high school. Unfortunately, she never graduated, she got pregnant. She gave birth to a good-looking son and called him Omar, after which, she married the father of her son; but she did not stop there, she had three more children, Glen, Diane, and Lisa. The four children are now grown and doing fine.

Omar is now working in the States; Glen married and recently bought a house; Diane graduated from teachers college, and she is very successful in her chosen field of teaching, Lastly, Lisa is attending college studying theology and accounting. I am delighted and happy for my sister Adella and her four children.

Adella is now living in the state and graduated from college with honors. She works for the government; she enjoys her work and her co-workers. Adella has now separated from her husband. She is a strong woman, a God-fearing person; she will continue to be employed and loved by her four children. Perhaps someday she will find her soul mate and the love of her life again.

My baby brother Anthony was the only one left at home when I started going to high school. Anthony was sent to Ms. Chamber’s school. He had difficulty getting along with the other students; he would frequently end up in a fight, almost every day. It always surprised me when he came home unscathed or harmed. He finished elementary school with good grades and was promoted to high school.

In high school, Anthony would arrive late nearly every morning. The principal warned him that if he did not stop his late arrivals, he would end up being expelled. So, he decided to make an effort and leave earlier from home and arrive on time for school.

Anthony managed to graduate from high school. After which he borrowed some funds and opened his own business. His business was doing very well until he decided to discontinue the business he had so painstakingly built up; it seemed as though it was too stressful, and after a few years, it was no longer profitable.

Anthony had in his mind to open a restaurant. He traveled north and settled in Canada. He opened one restaurant, and soon after, he had two restaurants in this new land of Canada.

Anthony finally got married to a Canadian lady. He is now blessed with four adorable children. Soon after Anthony settled in Canada, Radcliffe followed him. They are now living very close to each other. They are close brothers and enjoy each other’s company.

²God is truly amazing. It was a lovely day, and I was seven years old. My Aunt Vicky took me to Kingston for a week. She gave me an old pocketbook. It was damaged, with a big hole in it. I decided to go in the yard and play with this pocketbook, along with my doll. While I was playing, a woman ran into my Aunt’s yard and took the pocketbook. She had assumed there was money in it, which was false.

She ran down the busy street with the pocketbook. I pursued her not too far behind, asking her to give it back. Thank God I had the common sense to go back to my aunt and let the woman have the pocketbook, accounting for the dangers of the cars on the busy street, and the possibility of being lost in an unknown town.

I told Aunt Vicky what happened. She was scared that she could have lost me. She bought me a doll and told me never to play outside again. Aunt Vicky’s reaction is an experience parents should learn from: It is very important to pay special attention to their children.

While I was chasing this strange woman on the busy street, a fast-moving vehicle could have struck me down, but the good Lord protected me from danger. This is how powerful is the Creator. I am thankful nothing bad happened to me as I ran down that strange thief on the street. God is great.

Growing up as a child, I was inquisitive. I was the type of child who would always want to know what was going on. During one bright afternoon when I was eleven years old, my parents took my brothers and me to visit their friend, Larry. When we arrived at his home, I smelled a wonderful scent coming from the kitchen. I soon discovered a pot of stew beef, rice, and peas.

I tasted the stew beef. It was finger-licking good! I kept eating more. To my dismay, I realized I not much later that I had almost finished the whole pot. When Larry was ready to serve dinner, the pot was almost empty. It didn’t take long for him to find out that I was the culprit. When I got home, I was spanked and punished for eating Larry’s stew beef without permission. That was a well-learned lesson since I never did such a thing again.

I was a quiet child growing up, but I used to do little, mischievous things too.

I remember it as a warm morning when my cousin, Tiny, and her husband Tom, along with my mother Irene and myself went to a church convention in Montego Bay. We enjoyed the convention and we all had a nice time.

On our way home Tom, the driver stopped at the gas station. During this break, I decided and mention to my mother that I was going to change my rear seat and sit in the front with my cousin Tiny. However, my mother was reluctant about me changing seats; she told me not to move from my seat in the rear. Anyhow, I disobeyed my mother and I went and sat beside my cousin.

Shortly after I relocated to the front, a very misfortunate incident occurred: the rear seat- where I was sitting just a moment before- flew open while the car was in motion! The vehicle was coasting at about seventy miles per hour. My mother and I were extremely happy that I had changed seats. Of course, the right decision is to listen to your parents, but I am glad that in this one instance, I did the opposite. I would have been seriously hurt, or I could have died. I am so delighted that I was able to tell my story and thankful to God for provisioning my life and protecting me from danger.

Becoming a young lady can be an exciting experience. I was thirteen when I started my menses. It was scary. I would get shy when I heard anyone talk about the subject. For the first few months, I had no pain. After a while, I started to have mild pain, which later developed into excruciating pain. The pain was so severe that I had to be sent home from school by the teachers. The teachers tried to help me feel better but to no avail. My classmates were sorry to see me in such pain. One particular student named Janet made me a cup of tea and even gave me a painkiller to reduce the pain. Although I only felt a little better, I think that was nice of her to help me.

This discomfort continued for years and became unbearable. I kept praying that I would find a remedy to cure this terrible pain. A miracle was performed when a woman named Myra told my mother that Aloe Vera juice was good for period pain. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear the good news. I started taking the Aloe Vera juice, and although it had a bitter taste I never minded taking it. I noticed the Aloe Vera alleviated the pain, and after a while, there were none at all. I recovered fully from the menstrual cramp and I felt good. This was a miracle God had performed by sending Myra with the good news.

When I recovered from this pain felt as if I had gained a million dollars. I sure felt happy that I had no more menstrual pain- the amount I suffered was unbearable. There were times when I had to leave my school and go home because of the anguish, and as soon as I arrived I would vomit and cry over the pain in my stomach. I thank Myra very much to this day for informing me about the remedy that healed me. God bless her.

As the year went by and times changed, there were strangers who hung out in their designated spots in the neighborhood. These people would relentlessly torment me. At the time, I was fourteen years old. I recall some teenage girls and a few adults crossing my path as I came home from school. These people would torment me and make my life uncomfortable. I was called all kinds of derogatory names, which were based on jealousy. I started having sleepless nights and would have to resort to crying myself to sleep. It was annoying and difficult; my life was in turmoil and I felt like running away from home. I think they were jealous of me because I was always looking nice and had a big smile on my face.

I was typically a quiet and shy person, but around this time I became more talkative and confident. The only time I recollect being rude was the incident when I ate most of Larry’s stew beef. My parents moved to a nicer neighborhood, and I was elated that I would not have to see the troublemakers. The sleepless nights and the suffering came to an abrupt end. I migrated to the United States.

As time went by, I forgave them and moved on with my life. I went to Jamaica sometime later and ran into the people who tormented me in my earlier days. When I talked to them, they actually apologized for the rough time they put me through. They regretted the lies they spread about me and how they tormented me. It bothered me a lot that my parents did not show any concern about the hurt and pain that was going through at fourteen.

My Sweet Sixteen birthday was an occasion that I will always remember as a very pleasant day. My parents, George and Irene, and my brothers, Radcliffe and Anthony gave me a surprise Birthday. I was taken to a push restaurant, and I can remember having one of the best-tasting meals ever. When I got back home, my parents bought me lovely gifts.

The nicest gift I got on my birthday was a trip to Paris. You can only imagine my excitement. When I got to Paris, we drove around and ate a lot of nice dishes. We met a bunch of nice people. All in all, that trip was superb. I always think about going back someday to enjoy the pleasure of Paris. I greatly appreciated the trip, dinner, and gifts. My Sweet Sixteen birthday was a highlight in my life that I will never forget.

I was seventeen years old, and soon it was time for me to graduate from High School. I started to miss school and the cool, lovely classmates I had. The sweet jokes we shared and the gifts we exchanged; those times were just about to end. I was comfortable at school and enjoyed it. The students and teachers were nice, and I got along well with them. It was a different atmosphere than home, with the bullies that used to torment me. School was a safe haven for me, and when school was dismissed, I had to leave my safe haven and go home. I was not enthusiastic to do so, but I had no choice. At home had to avoid those dangerous people who upset me, but at school, my goal was to become a journalist or a registered nurse.

A strange thing happened to me in high school close to graduation.

The requirement was to pass the six courses received. I passed five and failed one. The course I failed was math. I noticed that every year, some students failed. I always prayed that I wouldn’t fail any courses myself, but it happened to me nonetheless. I spoke to the principal and the teachers about my misfortune, and they denied me my diploma. This made me cry a great deal, and my parents cried too.

One of the teachers came up with an idea for the students who failed. The teacher came up with a summer school program. I was excited about the opportunity. I completed my education with good results and was able to take part in the graduation ceremony. This was a miracle because students failed annually, and they never got their diplomas because they never had a summer program opportunity. The year the summer opportunity was offered to me was the first time they ever had a summer class. l also understand that it was the last summer class they ever offered, so I was very fortunate. God