It’s such a beautiful autumn day here in my little town in Southern Ontario.
The trees – including the Japanese maples shown above – are ablaze with colour.
But on this day, I’m preoccupied and praying for Jamaica, land of my birth, and for all the other Caribbean islands in the path of Hurricane Melissa. A pretty name but deadly, according to all the weather projections.
Melissa has been sitting in wait, gathering strength over the ocean. Like a predatory beast waiting to strike, someone said.
I have family and friends there. And millions of other people whom I also wish I could protect.
I’ve been praying. And doom scrolling, literally.
But comfort/distraction comes from surprising places.
Northumberland 89.7 FM chose this time to rebroadcast an interview I gave about what “home” means to me, along with an excerpt about my childhood home in Jamaica, from my book A Good Home.
To hear the interview and excerpt (read by me) on the Word On The Hills programme, visit:
Wordonthehills.com
And click on Recent Programmes. Mine is the first up.
My thanks to the hosts, Felicity Sidnell Reid and Gwynn Scheltema. Your timing is remarkable.
Cynthia.
Not a fun situation for anyone. Hope your relatives (if they are still down there) are safe.
Thank you.
I hope you’re doing well. Or as well as can be.
My thoughts are with your homeland, you your compatriots and many of Irish descent. May they all weather the storm safely!
Thank you, dear Ciaran. My best to you, Fiona, Sam and Zach.
Cynthia, my thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and homeland, and all who need safe havens.
Thank you, dear Lavinia.
My best to you and the family.
How are you doing?
I have seen photos of the destruction and pray sufficient aid comes.
Thanks, Lavinia. I am just seeing your reply – likely because of the state I was in. Sorry. Family okay, but so many others are in terrible shape.
No worries, dear friend. I am glad your family is alright, and all the others will remain in my prayers.
I will pray for the people to stay safe and out of harms way. May the Lord carry them through this uncertainty. Good bless them all to stay safe and strong.
Susan Glazier 🙏
Thank you very much, Susan. I hope you and your family are well.
Prayers for all who are in the path of that storm. Definitely a time when I hope the weather forecasters have over estimated. I enjoyed your reading.
Double thanks, Judy. Much appreciated.
Constant praying, Cynthia. So many have called to let me know their prayers are with us. Thank you for this posting.
Those prayers make us feel stronger. Thank you. Hoping it won’t be as bad as forecast.
Thank you.
Now the rescue, recovery and rebuilding lies ahead. A tough thing but I never underestimate Jamaicans.
Best to your family and friends and to all the other folks who are in the path of this terrible storm.
Thank you, Laurie. What a time.
Yes, let it be much less horrific than forecast. Sending prayers for everyone there and all those here who wait.
Thank you, Abby. The aftermath is tough. I can only say the Jamaican spirit is strong and the government seems to have prepared (as much as they could) for the disaster.
I have been through many hurricanes in Texas, and my thoughts have been on Jamaica. I know what it will be like. I hope the people were able to get to a “safer” place. If you have contacts there, I hope you will keep us posted. I remember your descriptions of home from your book. As always, it is a pleasure to read your posts.
Thanks so much.
A former schoolmate describes it as “incomprehensible and overwhelming”.
It is rough to go through. Harvey hit my community badly. Our house was on higher ground, so we made out ok. We had the Cajun Navy come in boats to get people out of their houses.I saw some planes got in with supplies and collections are being gathered to send down. One former Jamaican builder was on TV planning to help with the rebuilding.
Thank you. Things are still so rough there for so many.
The news is not covering it anymore.
I can only hope that the latest hurricane will pass through the Caribbean with no loss of life and minimal property damage. I just listened to your interview and the two readings, which I enjoyed very much.
Thanks, Liz. Big parts of Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica were devastated. It’s heartbreaking.
Thanks for taking the time to listen to the interview. I enjoyed listening to it myself.
You’re welcome, Cynthia. I looked at some of the hurricane damage footage on the news. I hope other countries and organizations will come to their aid.
Thanks, Liz.
You’re welcome, Cynthia.
It’s a big storm brewing. I’ll add my prayers for Jamaica. BTW, I loved this book Cynthia and am delighted it’s still getting publicity.
Thanks, Brad, for the prayers. Jamaica has a tough road ahead.
A Good Home remains my favourite of all my books. Thanks for loving it.
Praying over here, too.🌷
Thank you.
Melissa is an uninvited and unwelcome visitor.
Prayers go out for the safety of our people.
Thanks, Garth.
We had links with Jamaica – the parents and relatives of one of my sons in law. I wish all your people and everyone else well
Yes. I remember.
I’ve been watching the news about Jamaica, Cynthia. It is hard to imagine a scarier scenario. Hopefully you family and friends will find safe havens to weather the storm.
Thank you, Curt.
My immediate family is safe. Not sure about cousins, some friends and homes.
My best to you.
I hope everyone will be ok. It looks like it’s been incredibly scary. Have been thinking of you and yours.
Thanks, MT! My family is okay but so many Jamaicans have lost so much. It’s awful.
Cynthia
I loved your previous interview and especially the parts that you read from your book. A Good Home has always been a favourite of mine. I hope that all your family and friends in Jamaica are safe.
Miss you!
Just seeing this lovely comment, Arna! Thanks ever so much!