Why I Write – This Tribute Had Me In Tears. If I Can Help One Person… Just One “Tough Times Never Last But Tough People Do” Written by Terence

When Terence reached out to me I was both in awe and humbled. Yes I started this blog to help people and perhaps I have in different ways. But to actually receive a letter about just how much someone’s life has changed from reading my posts, wow.

I have not changed Terence’s letter; which he penned to me as I think he writes beautifully and perhaps his story, will encourage somebody else, somewhere, somehow.

“It is a real honour, privilege and pleasure to share the impact that JoJo Bayvel’s blogs has had on me personally. My name is Terence and JoJo Bayvel’s blogs have been such an encouragement and inspiration to me.

The last couple of years has not been easy but even more so in particular the last three years, life simply did not behave and some of my dreams and goals seemed out of reach.

But despite that I trusted God and leaned on Him for strength and also decided that it was time for me to embark on the completion of a degree program that I started a couple of years ago.

Little did I know that after registering in January 2020 to complete the last couple of modules, that a Pandemic would soon reach our Countries’ shores and in March 2020, life as we all knew it would change and my studies was under threat of not being completed over the planned time.

I managed to get through the semester but by the start of the new semester I was faced with more challenges and i was facing the very real prospect of not continuing my degree study program. I was ready to throw in the towel. But I prayed and asked God to help and encourage me.

It was at this time that I came across JoJo Bayvel’s blog while busy online, and found the posts very interesting and so real as I’ve not come across someone being so real online about their life’s journey and family challenges.

The Blog that totally amazed me was “Against all Odds”, where some of the challenges and against all odds experiences were shared about her sister. I was in awe of the faith of her sister, JoJo, and the rest of the family. Her sister is a living testimony that God can get us through things no matter how difficult it may be.

As soon as I was done reading it, I asked myself the Question, “ If her sister could endure all of those Against all Odds experiences and have such deep faith and be an overcomer, then I have no reason to give up”.

That blog played such a pivotal role in encouraging and inspiring me to not give up and despite my challenges, to try again. I believe that when I prayed to God for help and encouragement, little did I know that one of the ways in which He would answer would be through a blog post and the life experiences of sisters with such deep faith.

And I am so happy that the blog encouraged and Inspired me at a crucial time when the challenges mounted and i made the decision there and then to not give up, as I will be graduating with my degree in December 2021. 

JoJo Bayvel’s blog found and reached someone at a time when he needed it most. It is with this gratitude that I want to say thank you so much for your blog. It is inspiring, thought provoking, a tear jerker, courageous, brave, smile inducing, encouraging, life changing, joyful, hopeful, and most of all God Ordained and Inspired, to allow ‘An Ordinary Girl On An Extraordinary Journey Through Life’ to reach people where they are.

May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly more than you could ever ask or think and continue the excellent work. Blessings.

Terence, I end this by saying YOU are the one who has encouraged me. Tears stream as I have no way of repaying you for your beautiful words.

I know you can and will achieve great things in life – Gods holding the pen that will write your book.

Thank you again and again for inspiring me to keep on trying to make a mark on this world through my life’s experiences.

Joy always comes in the morning!

Love Always

JoJo

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Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen…

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

So Many Of Us Were Raises By African Mothers- At Times I Find A Story That Resonates – And Have Too Share It

Thank you firstly to Catherine Treki who penned this.

Thank you for the tears, the laughter, the memories and the joy.

I grew up like this but was lucky enough to have two moms – My African Momma and my own – yet Christina (my momma number two) was most definitely exactly this to me – A mom.

Not only were we blessed to have her, but her 4 daughters became our sisters.

Always remember that no one is born hating another … it is taught. And wouldn’t it rather be amazing to allow your kiddies two families instead of one?

So many of us were raised by African Mothers

Strong African women

Fighters

Often not even our own.

Bread winners

We were carried on backs, tightly swaddled with a well worn towel

Soothed by sweet songs we maybe didn’t even understand the words to

Swayed to sleep

Given tasters of pap and sous and drums and dance

Taught to receive with hand to wrist

We were blessed with warm sunshine smiles and heartfelt hugs

Patience

Humbleness

We were raised with love

This is the difference…

In a country where so much fear and hatred and misunderstanding has been rife through difficult years

We are still rooted

To this soil

And the roots

Are

With HUGE THANKS

to an African Mother….

I Was So Lucky

On nights when my heart is sore oh so sore, and the memories of you are so vivid – I thank God that I still have, and always will be able to hold onto those.

I so often lose my breath when I think of you, my first love, not being alive on earth – but Daddy I know you are so happy and in a much better place, looking down on us and guiding us, forever. Always my 911.

Pops, I was lucky 🍀 for 37 years to have you. Most don’t get that chance or a hero daddy like you.


My first love, though oh to dance with my father again.

That’s What They’ll Say About Us…

I know I should write more about my career, the products I use etc etc… but, my blog is not about that.

Perhaps it is a release from the everyday mundane world of work and beauty and striving to be ones best.

I like to think of it as a place where people in all walks of life can relate. Life is sometimes amazing and sometimes downright dismal.

I am blessed to have what some may call the “happy gene” but I must say Covid and this past years experiences have put a slight damper on a number of days for me; and I know for so many.

So… getting to the point. I love sharing anything I come across which touches my heart and soul or perhaps just my taste.

This is me sharing music. A passion. A love story. Music is just that rare and beautiful medium that conjures up every memory, feeling, mood and experience we have gone through and are yet too.

It is also a beautiful piece and so apt for the times we live in right now. it’s the most beautiful cover of a Finneas song about a lady who loses her husband to Covid. It is sad and tragic but absolutely magical and a memory for her and all who have lost someone, to savor for all time.

Love Always

JoJo