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2 months ago | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
Many of us have difficult relationships with our parents. Those relationships have caused us the most pain in our lives and even if that parent is no more the pain unfortunately, often lives on. Recently, a sister I know lost her father, one with whom she had shared she did not have a relationship. But she is mourning his death and she told me that she had not expected it to be so painful. While she did not say this, I deduced that she is mourning what can never be.
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Jan 19, 2025 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“Children are some of the most selfish beings at times. I don’t know what it is, we love them but we see how selfish they can be at times especially to the people who love them the most: their parents.” The words of a single mother, she sounded very frustrated. This woman has been and still is working to keep a roof over the heads of her children and food on the table. Granted, many times she barely makes it and they are in want more often than not.
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Jan 12, 2025 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“I know you from somewhere, but I can’t say from where. You know me?” the question came from a random woman in downtown Georgetown. When I shook my head in the negative she proceeded to ask me where I worked and it was the beginning of a conversation. I had made a very early morning visit to a Regent Street store to avoid the holiday rush. I was so early that the store was not open and the stranger and I were among a few other women waiting for the doors to open.
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Dec 15, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“I am trying to clean but when I get customers I have to leave off. I get this next side hustle and sometimes it does feel like too much. But is Christmas and I want the place nice and clean. I have them girls but they have work and school and it is as if they can’t do anything else.”The words of a single mother of four who all her life has struggled to raise her children.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
I know many of us sisters are getting anxious. Why? Christmas is just 17 days away. Yes, you read right, Christmas is just weeks away. While some are way ahead with their preparations, some of us are trying to figure out how and when to start. Others are getting tired just thinking about the cleaning before the actual preparation. I don’t know if it is just a Guyanese thing, but we really do put ourselves under a lot of pressure year in year out. For what?
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Dec 1, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“I always knew I wanted to work with myself and even though it took some time I am satisfied. I don’t own a big business and some days are good and some not so good, but I am thankful for where I am now and I can only pray that it gets better.”The words of a mother of one who is in her mid-forties and who has had her own small business for the past few years. I support this sister from time to time . She has a very pleasant disposition, which led to me having a conversation with her one day.
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Nov 24, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
Today I am sharing some recent conversations as well as information I read on Facebook that I found interesting, disconcerting and downright barbaric. Of course, I prefer to start with a somewhat heartwarming but yet sad conversation I had with a sister before I get into others that are distasteful or may even trigger some people based on their life’s experiences. “My son and I were talking, and we talk a lot,” a sister said to me recently.
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Nov 10, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“Sometimes I can’t believe they so young but you know they really try to be the best parents. She does research everything and they really try to do the right thing. I is the grandmother but she does make sure I know she is the mother.”The word of a sister who has her first grandchild. Her daughter got the baby just out of her teens and the father is not much older. But according to the sister the couple has really moved into parenthood quite well and are being the best parents to their young child.
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Nov 3, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“I am so angry at him and of course I am hurt because he cheated and now we are no longer together. I have a child; well, now we have a child together and that makes it hard. What am I supposed to do? Because I want nothing to do with this man. Why should he be a part of my child’s life?”It was obvious that this sister was hurt and angry and I got where she was coming from. No one wants to be cheated on.
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Oct 27, 2024 | 
stabroeknews.com | Oluatoyin Alleyne
“I was molested when I was 12 years old and you know what was the worst part of it? My mother did not believe me and she tek me and send me away and continue to live with she husband. But it didn’t last. The whole thing bruk up because he was a drug addict and a criminal and me mother put he in front of me.”This young woman, who is now a mother herself, sometimes still relives that horrific period of her childhood.
