Talukee is 8 years old. We met him after encountering his mother, Angela. We met Angela because she walked into our gate one day and started braiding my squad leader’s hair. True story! No introductions given and no permission asked; she simply strolled into our lives and started a relationship! Since the beginning, we have felt like old friends and our friendship continues to grow. Meeting her son came next. 

 

Talukee was introduced to us the following day. Angela brought him to our house in hopes that we would get to know him just as easily. The first day we met him, he was a quiet boy sitting timidly on our bench. (Probably wondering what in the world we were doing in his neighborhood). Now, he is one of my favorite people in Jamaica. 

 

I’ll introduce my little heartbreaker to you. 

 

First off, Talukee is a gentleman. The second day we saw him, we were finishing a run and had gotten a little lost. Talukee just so happened to be waiting for a bus at the top of a hill. That hill was conveniently located adjacent to us. Upon seeing us and without hesitation, he dressed down, took off his shoes, climbed down a bridge, and walked across a riverbank to escort us home safely. 

 

 

 

Talukee is a gentleman who loves school. His favorite subjects are math and reading, (both come in handy when he’s playing me in cards). Side note, Talukee LOVES cards! I taught him “I declare war” and we play it at least 7 times in a row before we can call it quits. He declares he is better at the game than me and I sarcastically encourage him to dream big. We are both overly confident with our card playing skills. Win or lose though, we always agree to shake hands and stay friends at the end of each game. Fun fact, he beats me quite often. 

 

 

 

Another school “subject” Talukee loves is recess. He loves it because he gets to play fùtbòl. He claims he can play as well as Lionel Messi. We are going to test this theory soon, but when we do, we agreed to be on the same team…juuuust in case it’s true. 

 

Talukee’s birthday is December 10th. 

 

For his birthday, Talukee is hoping to go visit the zoo. He has never been, but he wants to see the monkeys, penguins, giraffes, and lions. Talukee lights up when he talks about his love of animals. His eight year old dream is to buy a baby monkey and train it to be his pet. He loves monkeys he said, because they are the most similar to human beings. His fascination with them is infectious. I drew him this baby monkey to hold him over until he can buy one of his own.

 

 

 

Talukee also attends church. He is the only person in his family that goes. Angela, his mom, does not attend (yet), but she makes sure to send Talukee. “Now that I have the right shoes,” Talukee tells me, “I can attend church more often.” He explained that he loves church because there is singing and they talk about Jesus. Sometimes he falls asleep during service, but he doesn’t leave.

 

Talukee’s voice is one of God’s unique and lovely recipes. It is low volume, mixed with raspy tone, splashed with a strong Jamaican accent that is poured out in childlike mumbles. I can’t always understand him, but I love the flavor of the words that he speaks.

 

Funny fact, Talukee’s name probably has been spelled wrong throughout this entire blog. Yep. It is a complete guess! When asked how to spell it, he stated that he did not know. His first name is “Samora” and that is the name he writes down in school. 

 

I end on that “funny and random fact” to make a serious and not so random point. I don’t know a majority of “qualifiable” facts about Talukee. Meaning, the facts we tend to put on a checklist to qualify if we have “gotten to know someone,” (i.e. how to spell his/her name). What I do know though are all of the little things that make him into the person who God cherishes and adores.

 

Sometimes I get caught up in meeting people just out of obligation. I know that I need to get to know them because I need to love them as Christ loves them. When I go down my checklist of qualifications, (what’s your name, what’s your favorite movie, do you have siblings, etc), I feel like I am accomplishing that. I am completing the task of getting to know them out of a need to be a “good Christian”. I need to love them. 

 

But then I think about God. God didn’t need to love us. He chose to love us. He wanted to love us. We are his PRIZED POSSESSIONS. He values getting to know us. So that made me ask myself a question. When I meet people, am I getting to know them as if they are a prized possession? Am I treating their stories as something with true value to me? Something I cherish? 

 

I don’t think I have been doing that until now. And once you meet people in this way, you can’t help but to fall in love and want to introduce them to others. This is why I am introducing Talukee to you. He is a gentleman/soccer player/monkey fan who loves math and singing in church. I cherish all of the small details I’m learning about him like God cherishes each of us. I love him for who he is in the kingdom of heaven and want you to love him too!

 

 

 

 

 

Have you spent time truly cherishing someone else like God cherishes them…like God cherishes you?? If not, give it a try! Take time out this week to truly sit and bond with someone. It may be someone you know or God may lead you to someone new. There is no hidden agenda, no time requirement, and no checklist of questions needed (unless you like questions because they help prompt you). Simply go into it with a prayer to see that person as God’s prized possession and his intentional creation. I promise, it is worth it!

 

I pray you end up with a new friend like Talukee.

 

Thank you for taking time to read this and get to know a little more about me as well.

 

Much love from me,

 

Tee 

 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.   Romans 12:10