An Ocean Between Us

On Wednesday nights I take a break from mothering and have a little fun at belly dancing class. We're choregraphing a piece together and this week I found out one of my classmates is leaving.

"I'm moving to Belgium," she said. "Belgium?" I gasped, all the while thinking there has to be love involved. "Why Belgium?" I asked. She smiled and said, "My boyfriend's moving for work and asked me to come with him."
"Ahhh...," I said, knowingly. Immediately, my heart went out to her sister who is also in our class. I touched the sister's shoulder lightly. "And are you okay with that?" I asked. "No," she replied in a strong voice. "I am not okay."

Thank goodness neither young lady was upset by the show of emotion. The topic quickly changed to the awesome visits they would have once she had moved. I confided that I once wanted to work in Italy, but couldn't because it was too far away from my family. When I finally did move, I was six hours away from my sister and it nearly killed me. We all laughed. But the truth about siblings, especially those that are bestfriends, is that they love one another enough to support each other's decisions. They don't really want to be separated nor do they ever want to see the other hurt, but they'll let them go if they say it will make them happy.

This bond starts early in life and if nutured by parents and caregivers, blossoms to tremendous proportions. Eventually, it can become so powerful that we have no choice but to go out into the world and sow that same seed. How happy I am that my sister and I can play a part in spreading this message to children everywhere! Do you have a close relationship with your sibling(s)? Tell us about it.

Sisters Are From Heaven

Sisters Are From Heaven is the first children's picture book created by my sister and I. One day I was chatting with her on the phone and she told me that God gave her a message that we were intended to combine our talents and work together to produce something awesome. She said she had not quite figured it out but once she had she'd let me know. She asked me if I would be interested in such a venture and I responded with an enthusiastic 'YES'!

Truly I could not imagine anything better than collaborating with my own sister in whatever capacity. She's always been my number one fan and my best friend. A few weeks or months later she came back with the idea for the book. She had one particular photograph that sparked this idea in her. It was one I had taken of her girls one fall day when I came over to help her with the kids. Her youngest child had just been born and I wanted to come help out and give her some down time. I got the girls ready and took them out for one of my practice photo shoots. The fall foilage was beautiful and Lauren was just perfecting her walking skills. We ventured out to play and jump in the leaves. Oh what fun! We were making our way back towards the house and I got an idea for the girls to embrace so I could snap a shot. I always gave my sister copies of all the pictures I took of her kids, but this day it seemed like so much more to me. The girls had a new addition to their family and it was not just the two of them anymore. They had to make room for baby brother, but I wanted them to have something to remind them of the days when it was just two sisters relying on each other. See that's how it had always been for my sister and I. We had lots of cousins and later a baby brother, but we always remember when it was just she and I.

So back to the photo...my sister saw this photo and she said the idea came to life. She looked at it and the title of our book was born. She said it was something about the beautiful blue sky and her daughters in a loving embrace that made her say 'Sisters Are From Heaven'. After that she picked out more photos that I had taken and begin to put words to those photos. In the end, we came out with this lovely book that you see today. A true testiment of the bond we share as sisters and the love we have for each other and most importantly God. I am so happy to know that my neices share that same bond and my sister is instilling the love of God in them.

What is Polly & Meek?

Polly & Meek Partnership is a book writing company created by Onjeinika Brooks and Tamika Jackson, two sisters from Wilmington, NC. Inspired by the beautiful photos that Tamika takes of her girls, Onjeinika began to create a wonderful children’s picture book titled, Sisters Are From Heaven using Tamika’s photos along with her positive lessons for children. The book was published through Xlibris and is the first joint venture for the sisters. Motivated to use their God given talents in more collaborations, the sisters decided to form a partnership. The name Polly & Meek comes from Onjeinika and Tamika’s nicknames growing up.

Onjeinika Brooks graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Engineering. She is a wife and mother of three. Onjeinika decided to take time off from her professional career to care for her growing family and to begin freelance writing. She is the owner of and author for Matrimony & Mayhem Books. She resides in Northern Virginia with her family. You may view her blog here.

Tamika Jackson graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Biology. She works professionally in the biotechnology industry. Tamika decided to pursue her passion for photography and is now a self-taught professional. She is the owner of Portraits by Tamika, a photography company specializing in affordable on location photo sessions and small weddings. Tamika resides in the DC Metro Area with her husband. You may view her blog here.

Many Blessings,
Polly & Meek