I came back from our Wednesday Evening ('kuda-fie') Service at the EP Church, Lashibi, not long ago and I am thankful to God for making me a part of a great discussion today on 'legacy'. 

The 2025 General Assembly theme for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, is 'Care for God's Creation: the task & mission of the Church'. We established in our discussion that we are the 'church'. Yes. Me. You. Not the building or structure. Not the location or size. But the people. Yes. Me. You. 

I shared a bit about my father, and though we laughed a bit about some of the stories from Papa JD's life (e.g. his calling us together as family to take pictures supposedly to be used for his 'funeral brochure' on his 62nd birthday :)....prior to his departure into eternity at age 79, there had been a 'trend' of all his brothers dying by the age of 62. So my guy was ready to go :)...no long things. But God had other plans.)

This example reminded me of the fact that we sometimes let our fears dictate our actions and inactions. No wonder the Bible says 'do not fear' about 365 times - we need a dosage of this everyday! While it is easy to sit and 'judge' or 'critique' the actions and inactions of our parents and the previous generations at large, let us not forget that we are currently writing stories. Stories of our lives, stories in the current chapters of our families, stories in our career, stories in the relationships that surround us, etc. While we point fingers and punch holes, may we be mindful that God's grace is sufficient enough to those who are ahead of us, those of us in the present, and those who come behind us.

May God help us to live such that those who come behind us are able to say 'they stand tall; standing on our shoulders, learning from all aspects of our lives, and drawing near to Jesus.' Amen. That's legacy. 

Selah. 22nd Jan. 2025

I remember you with a smile because of the many childhood memories *with a trade mark of LAUGHTER* 🙂...and 17th Jan will always remain in my memory as your birthday 🙂 - you've been in my life for over 20 years!

@the Queen's Hall Dining Hall, KNUST

As we both grow older into the women God has destined us to be, i look back with gratitude to God for how far He has brought us...from 'and that was all' with Patrick, to Mr. Menla Choir days, to back-seat adventures in Class 6, to fun times in Mr. Owuo's class, to 'being a thorn in the flesh' to many of our classmates ('everything Birgitta!'), to giggling endlessly in class, to 'Sakora Maame Waakye' escapades, etc etc (you should see the wide smile on my face now...lol)....I thank God for a friend in you.

Here's to many more birthdays, joy in the Lord, peace, love and righteousness, and the lifting up of our heads by God! Happy Birthday, Aba! 🙂....Here's a picture of you when you came to KNUST for "Intellecto 2008"- I'm glad i got to be your hostess 🙂. God bless you and keep you....May He cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you....AMEN!

Love always,

Juliet.

**Written on 18th January, 2013**

My very good friend, Aba Essien. A friend from our early years in St. Anthony's Primary School, Odorkor. She attended the Methodist Church and we were together in the School Choir. She was my sitting mate for some years too. We've been in touch, but we don't have a picture together yet - we'll do well to take one soon, God willing. She's one of the people I'm not frequently in touch with, but one with whom I can pick up a connection with no matter how long apart we've been. Thinking of her, I realize that it's never too early to have a good friend. May the Lord bless our children, nieces, nephews, etc with great and meaningful friendships, even from childhood. Amen!