A journey of faith, loss, and love

JACQUELINE Cummings Johnson, raised in the agricultural hub of Black Bush Polder, spent her childhood working alongside her father on farmlands. Her upbringing was typical, filled with education, involvement in Sunday school and church, and a passion for cooking and helping others. Driven by a desire to excel in every aspect of life, she described herself as the child who sought to “win.” Jacqueline, the mother of Miracle Zoe Grace, affectionately calls her the “smart mouth” of the family. While Jacqueline relishes motherhood and all its joys, her journey wasn’t without its challenges. As an advocate for family unity, she consistently emphasised the importance of keeping the family together. Tragically, however, at six months pregnant, she was forced to be courageous and face the rest of her pregnancy as a single mother.

Jacqueline’s first husband passed away, and four years later, driven by faith and prayer, she decided to remarry Miracle’s father. Six months into her pregnancy, Miracle’s father tragically passed away as well. Jacqueline was devastated, and she had to find strength within herself for her unborn child. Despite the difficulties, Jacqueline found solace in her community of support and her faith in God. She found strength in God and eventually named her daughter Miracle Zoe Grace—names that symbolised her resilience and faith. She described motherhood as a unique and transformative experience. After sixteen years of waiting, Jacqueline conceived her first and only child. She describes Miracle as the joy of her life. While she acknowledged that she became a mother a bit later than she had anticipated, she never let that hinder her role as a mother figure for others. From a young age, Jacqueline had always yearned to be a mother and possessed strong motherly instincts for her nieces, nephews, and community members. As a result, becoming a mother felt like a natural progression for her.

During her pregnancy in 2020, Jacqueline not only grappled with the grief of losing a husband but also battled the COVID-19 virus. She was hospitalised for an extended period, and her newborn daughter, Miracle, was also hospitalised afterwards. Jacqueline shared, “When Miracle was born, she wasn’t feeding and was in the hospital for some time. Everyone was praying for her recovery, and after two weeks, I was finally able to bring her home.”

A particularly cherished moment during these challenging times for Jacqueline was the overwhelming community support she received. “The community of Black Bush showed up at my home, and I want to make sure everyone knows. I am an Afro-Guyanese living in a predominantly Indo-Guyanese community, and they welcomed my daughter and me with open arms. My phone was ringing with messages from well-wishers, and I felt incredibly supported despite my struggles.” Jacqueline credits her success today as a mother to her church members, neighbours, friends, and relatives.

Jacqueline’s resilience is evident in her continuous work in the community of Black Bush Polder. Jacqueline, a seasoned professional in community development and early childhood development with 24 years of experience, leads the Mibicuri Community Developers. She mentors for the Youth Ambassador Programme 2017 with the US Embassy, serves as a Suicide Counsellor for The Helpline Project, and specialises in Sustained Youth Development and Research Inc. (SSYDR). Jacqueline provides support to families affected by suicide and individuals with suicidal thoughts, guided by God’s principles and collaborating with national and international organisations like Food for the Poor Inc. and UNICEF. Despite the challenges of balancing work, life’s obstacles, and motherhood simultaneously, Jacqueline finds motivation in her unwavering commitment to her daughter’s well-being.

Jacqueline shared her annual Mother’s Day traditions with Pepperpot Magazine. Traditionally, she spent the day in church. However, with the arrival of Miracle, her traditions evolved. While Mother’s Day still holds a religious significance, she teaches Miracle her favourite activities, such as cooking a Mother’s Day breakfast. She also encourages her daughter to participate in church activities. Jacqueline mentioned, “Miracle will be reciting an acrostic and singing a song to honour the mothers in their church congregation,” said the proud mother. Jacqueline describes Miracle as the most empathetic and smart child she has ever met. “Everywhere we go, people are amazed by her intelligence, and that fills me with joy, especially considering all the challenges I’ve overcome.” Jacqueline’s journey through motherhood was filled with trials and tribulations, but ultimately, she did indeed experience a ‘Miracle’ and dedicates every day to being the best mother she can be.