Mr. Lawrence is a high school English teacher by day and a cab driver on the weekends in Jamaica. His wife passed away from cancer a few year ago and he is now a single parent of two little girls.
Mr. Lawrence was our cab driver in Montego Bay on our way back to the airport. The ride back to the airport from the hotel was both hilarious and poignant. The cab ride was no longer than 15 minutes, however in that time, Mr Lawrence shared his wisdom on love and life that we can all learn from:
- Serve as the chair of your own fan club. Know that you are the most awesome, if not, then how can you expect others to respect and cherish you. He was so happy and upbeat! A true joy to be around, if only for 15 minutes.
- Be authentic and speak your truth even if it costs you. In the end, you will have stood for something greater.
- Tragedy happens to all of us and when it does, grieve and move on. Knowing that he was now solely responsible for two little girls gave him the courage to stand up and provide. He said that what he enjoys most is the laughter and joy his girls provide him, and he sees his wife everyday in their actions and words.
- Children have unlimited ways to be kind and generous. Mr. Lawrence’s younger daughter was so sad for a long while after her mother died, that she asked her dad for a new mom to make him feel better. Her older sister said ”don’t worry, i’ll marry dad and everything will be ok.” Those few spoken words made all the difference in the heart and mind of his youngest daughter. She now feels safe and secure. If only adults can recapture the wide open hearts of their childhood?
- Kids in high school think they have the entire world figured out and can’t conceive their teacher was ever their age. You know otherwise, and can have some fun while providing valuable life lessons, along with a side of laughter.
- See your daily life through vacation eyes. This is hard to do, but try to cultivate lightness and awe even in your everyday. Regardless of where you live, you can experience paradise in the city.
And don’t forget you are your number one fan!
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