Dear Younger Me,
I see you sitting there under the warm shade of the ackee tree, looking out toward the horizon where the blue sky meets the Caribbean Sea. Your heart is full of big, restless dreams. You are eager—almost impatient—to step out into the wider world, to test your strength, and to see what lies beyond the shores of this sweet island.
If I could reach back through the years, wrap an arm around your shoulders, and tell you what the road ahead looks like, here is what I would say.
1. The World Will Test You, But You carry Strong Roots
You are going to walk through places where the air is cold, the skies are gray, and the rhythm of life moves at a relentless, unforgiving pace. There will be days when things go wrong, when projects hit walls, or when you feel like a quiet stranger in a crowded room.
In those heavy moments, you will feel a deep, aching pull back to Yard. You will miss the vibrant energy of the streets, the warm laughter of neighbors who understand you without an explanation, and the comfort of knowing exactly where you stand.
But do not let the cold intimidate you. You are not empty-handed.
You are taking with you the unshakeable work ethic of our people, the natural resilience forged in the island soil, and the wisdom of elders who taught you how to "make a way out of no way." The world is vast, but your roots run deep enough to keep you standing tall through any storm.
2. You Will Learn to Build "Yard" Wherever You Land
There will be times when homesickness hits so hard that you catch yourself saying, "Gee whiz, I just want to go back." You will realize that jumping on a plane isn't always practical—that you’ve made commitments, built a life, and taken on responsibilities that require every ounce of your stamina to maintain.
When that happens, you won't give up. Instead, you will turn that longing into a mission.
You will hunt down ethnic markets across town just to find a proper loaf of hardo bread, real yellow yam, or a bottle of Ting. You will put on classic riddims while scrubbing the floor on Sunday mornings, cook meals that fill your home with the scents of yesteryear, and exchange warmth with strangers who share your accent.
You will discover that Jamaica isn't just a place on a map—it is a spirit you carry inside you. Wherever you set your feet down, you will build a sanctuary of home.
3. Honor the Journey—Every Single Step
Younger self, stop worrying about whether every single decision is perfect.
The sacrifices you are about to make, the long hours you will work, and the silent tears you will shed far away from home are not in vain. Every challenge is shaping you into a anchor for your family and a keeper of your culture.
Look back on the road you’ve walked not with regret, but with grace and pride:
Grace for the moments you stumbled, felt overwhelmed, or missed the simplicity of the old days.
Pride for the grit, determination, and dignity with which you’ve carried your heritage into the wider world.
Keep on Keeping On
You didn't leave your roots behind at the airport; you brought them along to feed your journey. You are a product of sweet Jamaica—her strength, her humor, her faith, and her unyielding rhythm.
So take a deep breath. Hold your head high. You are going to navigate the highs and lows of life abroad, and through it all, you will make yourself—and the island that raised you—proud.
Walk good,
Your Future Self
No comments:
Post a Comment