Memories of Back a Yaad– It’s all about Sammy (Part1)
Not so long ago when I was a little barefoot, suck finger, tear-up trousers boy, I use to sing this song, ‘Sammy plant piece a corn down a gully.’Now stop y’u foolishness, stop pretend you don’t know it for neither of us is any young guinea chick and as a matter of fact, “y’u of […]
The Aftermath: Memoirs Of An Illegal Alien Part 43
I will never forget the “arrest experience” as long as I live. I would put this up there on the list of scares with my trip to the Bahamas. This was worse because I was caught. Ritchie called a month after the incident. Sue was not at home and I picked up the phone. “My boy” […]
He reminded me that I am Great
And he mold, shape, Made me Yet they could not see That I am he And he is me For the eyes see What they want to see And he made me To see the earth The world, the universe Through many eyes It was lovely-at times And ugly—at times Yes he allowed me To […]
Growing Up Like A Jamaican – The New Year
These letters from my grandparents are precious because my grandparents didn’t have a phone and to this day when we go visit their home in Hodges Land we have to first buy a phone card in Black River and then borrow a cell phone to make a call. I remember during one visit my grandparents […]
Humiliation and More Trouble : Memoirs Of An Illegal Alien Part 42
Two weeks became a month. Ritchie’s plan was to eventually go to Atlanta, but Sue would not let him go. She kept insisting that he stay another week. I could not protest. The guilt of Ritchie helping me overweighed the risk I was taking having him at the house. We had some rules he had […]
T’is the season
A few days ago my son Brandon asked me if I was excited about Christmas. The little fellow’s inquiring mind has an insatiable curiosity. Whenever I hear “Daddy, can I ask you a question?” I know that like a skilled trial attorney, there will be four or five follow-up questions. Anyway, I digress. I paused before […]
The Best of Both Worlds
Born in London and being the only child raised by my grandparents was rather lonely but I found comfort in books. I remember reading everything I could get my hands on. Particular favorites were “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”, “The Secret Garden”, “What Katy Did” and a host of other popular children’s books. […]
Growing Up Like A Jamaican – Letters From My Grandparents
My maternal grandparents Stafford ‘Doctor’ Samuels and Lucy ‘Ms. Ella’ Samuels were quite the pair. Although they’ve gone home I still lovingly refer to them as Mr. Spaghetti and Ms. Meatball because grandpa was 6’5” and grandma barely cleared 5 feet. After “How To Raise Your Child Like A Jamaican” was published I naturally thought, […]
Ites of her Roots
The palm tree sway so smoothly even the wind stop for a second to see such beauty and the sun couldn\’t help to kiss the roots of her feet her trunk strong Loving the soil Of HIS creation and on her branches she blossom many flower of beautiful colors as the rain dance heavily giving […]
Why Christmas in Jamaica is Better
Jamaica is a very special place to be at Christmas time. – CurtisD. Certain flowers will bloom and there is a festive mood in the air that cannot be found anywhere else. The smell of the cooking of foods that are only done at Christmas will float through the air. Gate posts, rocks lining a […]