~ by kaka Lucas, 1/10/2022

Oh, my word!

I just woke up and found out it was October 1st. Wow! Where did September go?

October is already here with a big smile; we are now in the last quarter of the year. No one told me the year 2022 would win the marathon. It actually broke the record because, just the other day we were celebrating January first and soon we will have its birthday back.

October …. The name October originates from the Latin word “octo” which stands for “eight”. This month is more special than other months, and it stands out because it is crowned by specific activities and events that aren’t present in other months.

Did you know October ends on the same day as February ended (Prove me wrong)? In 2022 October ends on the 31st which is a Monday, and February 28, 2022 was also a Monday.

Do you not consider me a genius? I guess I am getting there though. Mr. Google is; he taught me all that.

Did you also know the flower of October is the calendula that symbolizes grace, comfort, protection, and healing? I thought I should let you know.

It’s the month of Halloween. That is what they say.  October 31… that leads us to into November 1^st, the feast of all Saints. During Halloween people disguise themselves in costumes of all kinds.

The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is October 1st. This, among other reasons makes October every year in the Roman Catholic Church, a month dedicated to the prayer of the Rosary.

We pray for cancer patients especially those with breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.

In the third week of October, we commemorate Jamaica’s seven national heroes. Of the seven, is muma Nanny of the Maroon, who appears on our Jamaican $ 500 bill, and she is famously known to be a maroon warrior and trainer in the art of guerilla warfare.

October is the season of pear (avocado) which we deliciously combine with bulla to bring out our own Jamaican taste of October. As much as it’s a wet season with lots of rain and flooding and maybe a hurricane that has not dared to visit us for years now, June plum trees are often seen laden with fruit. The flesh of the June plum encloses a spiky fibrous core. The green-looking blended juice is worth drinking as it is extremely healthy and nutritious. When ripe and its yellow flesh glitters with juiciness that drips like honey, it will have you seated on a rock just to feel every fiber from it. A little salt is often sprinkled on the fruit. No one ever wants to part with the seed that is robbed of its flesh and left with its spunky fibrous core dancing from one side of the mouth to the next until it’s left white. June plum season goes to December to make sure we have accompaniment, a dessert after days of festivity.

Dear Lord,

Today, I declare that October is super blessed. It is accompanied by abundance, good health, healthy skin, clarity, love, steady credit, spiritual nourishment, peace of mind, protection, and restoration.

Unchanging God, grant us resilience, determination, wisdom, compassion, strength, and humility as we travel forward with you.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.