SISTER ANGELLA HARRIS’ 60th BIRTHDAYFather Kingsley; Esteemed Nuns of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany; Birthday Celebrant, Sister Angella; beloved Family and Friends.
In wishing Sister Angella a happy birthday on her arrival at the golden age of “60”, I must advise her that Birthdays are very good for you. Statistics have shown that people who have the most birthdays live the longest.
However, there is also an alternative side to this statement, Sister Angella -- too many birthdays will eventually kill us. I must therefore say Sister Angella that I am so very happy that you are older than I am!
Also as your friend, now that you have arrived at this golden age, in the future I will endeavor to remember your birthday and not your age!
Sister Angella or as I simply knew her then Angella was my best friend in my childhood days. I am convinced that our childhood friends make an indelible impact on our lives, in that no matter how many years we don’t see each other or how far apart we go that friend has a part of our heart and will always be a valued, unforgettable part of our lives.With Sister Angella, whenever she and I meet up it is like carrying on a conversation we were having yesterday.
I have many happy memories of growing up in the Nautilus Avenue community of Harbour View.In this community families looked out for each other.My family lived at #60 Nautilus Avenue while Angella’s family lived on the opposite side of the road at #49.Our houses were fairly close with Angella’s house being about four houses below ours. Angella was always amazed that she could hear my mother’s outrageous sneeze all the way down at her house.
I spent many hours at Angella’s home mostly because her parents were stricter than mine were so she could not come over as often as I could get to go to her house.
Her parents most appropriately named her, Angella – her name meaning “angel messenger of God”. Angella was definitely “Ms. Goody Two Shoes”, she was also very feisty in her quiet reserved way and with her exceptional analytic ability, she automatically took the leadership role in our friendship. Of course being the daughter of two great teachers, her father being an eminent principal – I think she considered herself way above us, lower mortals! This was definitely indicative of things to come.
She is extremely intelligent and talented…she could pick out a tune on the piano with little effort, unlike me who was tone deaf and generally having very little musical ability. Our conversations (often lasting for hours – even after leaving her house I would then call her on the phone where we would have another long conversation) were always interesting.I can’t recall now what on earth we spent so much time talking about but I am sure we must have solved many of the world’s problems during those conversations.
At 10-11 years old, Angella was backing out and parking her family’s car on the road.I was truly awestruck at this accomplishment (as any 10 -11 year old would be) and so amazed that her father Mr. Nehemiah Harris (of blessed memory) never did limit his daughter’s confidence in her abilities.
Of course being children, there had to be a fight at some point! This happened one afternoon. In speaking to Angella recently, she says she doesn’t remember any such fight as she thought she had a clean slate. I can’t recall what that fight was about but as our neighbouring friends, Denise, Sandra, my sister Maria and others encircled us, Angella with fists poised in the air like a true boxer, was ready to take me on and the world, if necessary.
Whenever I have met an Immaculate student I have always been quick to tell them that Angella was my best friend and that she beat me up. They have been so impressed that I know their Sister Angella! However due to the fact that I am standing now in the hallowed realms of the Convent, I am compelled to tell the real end of that story – that is, being the true coward that I am, I hurriedly retracted whatever comments I had made that led to the fight and so the fight never actually got underway much to the disappointment of our community friends who had eagerly gathered for this unpropitious event.
As we grew into our later teenage years, we went to many places together.The Rockfort Mineral Bath, Gun Boat Beach, the movies at both the Harbour View and the Carib cinemas, church events etc.This was a period in which our spiritual yearnings deepened. Our section of Harbour View surrounded as it was by the beautiful mountain ranges easily aroused our inner search for a deeper spiritual life.
We went to Christian camps together and I am happy to note that it was at one of my church camps (the United Church in Jamaica & the Cayman Islands) under the directorship of the late Rev. Earl Thames (of blessed memory) that Angella gave her life fully to the Lord…of course, much more fully than me! Ironically, this would be her first step in her journey to the Convent.
I have found that Angella has a way of dropping bombshells of information on me.Firstly when she decided to become a nun. I was mortified as in my script of both our lives I saw each of us getting married …We would both marry tall handsome men and each of us would have maybe 4 – 6 children (like our parents).Our children would then become childhood friends just as we were.Nonetheless, as I said earlier, Angella lived a life above us ordinary mortals.
God’s plan was for Angella’s life meant that she would touch the lives of thousands of children not merely 4 - 6 as I envisaged.
After she became a Novice, we did not see each other for many years as we each pursued our respective life’s journey.I got married, had children and Angella, just to let you know, I am sure my children caused me to pray just as much or even more than you did in the Convent!!!
Whenever we met, such as when she attended my Dad’s funeral, we easily fell back into our comfortable friendship. She graciously invited me to attend mass when she took her final vows during the mid 90’s.
We then lost touch…meeting briefly in 2010/2011. Today is the first time we are seeing each other since that time.
Then the second bombshell came last year when I got news, unwittingly, through an acquaintance, that Angella had been diagnosed with cancer.This occurrence however proved for me the truly indelible cords of friendship. I questioned God on why this had to happen, I cried, I prayed and fasted for her just as if she were my own sister.
Do you recall when I said earlier that Angella is a fighter (she definitely would have been a great boxer)…well my brave, courageous friend took on the fight with cancer in true form and God’s willing she will indeed succeed. Angella, may I just advise notwithstanding your wonderful ability to take on the world, this battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s. So hand over this one totally to Him.
Well, back to the birthday, I am very, very happy that Angella has reached 60 before me so now I can call her “old lady” for a few months before I get there.
I have stopped telling God what the script should be where our friendship is concerned – He has a better script - but just to say, I will be eternally grateful that He gave me the best childhood friend ever.
Angella, I have been so proud of your many accomplishments and I look forward to many, many more. That best seller that you must write now; work on a Caribbean genre of religious music as carried on by Father Holung and others; and God’s willing we will have do some traveling together to places like Japan and Russia. So Girl, just as back in those childhood days we still have people to meet, places to go and lots of things to do!
Finally, Angella this being such an auspicious birthday, as your friend, I cannot end without giving you some words of wisdom:
Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed; and
Smile while you still have teeth. Congratulations!
I love you, my friend!
February 20, 2020.
