July 19, 2013
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| THE HOUSE NOW - SHOT TAKEN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY |
Yesterday was a delightful visit with "Daddy" & "Mother", Cecil & Phyllis. There was a lot a catching up to do but we picked up right where we left off a little over three years ago. I've been thinking about them a lot, as I often do, because they are such great examples of poineering Jamaicans, strong in faith, love of God and love for each other. I often refer to then two pea in a pod, phyche & chim, or another one which I wont write because some of you might find it a little bit vulgar.
Of course, it didnt take long after I arrived before Mother brought me up to date about her last phone call with her cousin and playmate Miss Cislyn, the second last hold out of the original decendants of the Arscott's from Scotland who settled in Coloden, Clarendon. Both these ladies had wonderful memories of their time growing up together and as teenagers, often describing the elaborate dresses, hats and high heel shoes they used to wear. And yes, I know about it, because four years ago when my uncle Cas died, Miss Cislyn was there at the celebrations, high heel shoes, pretty frock and the fancy hat and all at the tender age of 89! She passed on this spring, leaving Phyllis as the last surviving member of that generation. On that last phone call Miss Cislyn told Motheer "mi still wear mi high heel shoes you know Phyllis, me caan wear flat shoes, but mi no wear the slim heal ones"! She told her how she had planted her vegitable garden, and how well her crops were doing. They caught up on the children and grandchildren, and of course swapped stories on the goodnes of God. They lived and breathe their faith. A week later, Miss Cislyn was gone.
She still has her wits about her, so this is the opportunity to catch up on the family history. When I said to her that she is now the sole torchbearer she pointed out to me that "Daddy" is on his side of the family too.
This is such an amazing couple! When I say they are two peas in a pod, I mean it. I remember shortly after I arrived in Canada, there was a blockage in the drainage in the house so Daddy called in a plumber to fix the problem. When the plumber was finished, the charge for the job was more than what was expected and I remember Mother crying, yes crying "my poor husband, where you think he would get that kind of money", seriously dont touch a hair on his head!
They have laid down tracks in this city and this country. Their three children who were born in Jamaica and came here as youngsters with their parents have done very well for themselves, in their family life, professions and business and the grandchildren are now raising their own families and are prospering. Daddy & Mother have have sponsored many of their family members here to Canada. In addition, they started the Mount Zion Apostolic Church which is a fixture in this city, and after retiring from his porter job with the railroads, Daddy got into fulltime ministry and became a Bishop. Through the church, and personally, they have help countless hundreds, if not thousands over the years in so many many ways.
To them, their integrity is everything! They live and breathe their faith and you cannot find a more a solid example of a strong marriage, strong family and community builder. They dress well, aha, they are both fasionistas! They eat well and the live well.
Yes, they came conquored. I salute them - Daddy is 98 and Mother is 90 and I pray that they will be with us for much, much longer.
I will follow up with further details on this marvelous couple in the future, so stay tuned!
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| ME - MISS SAM - NEW CANADIAN! |
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| THE HOUSE AS IT WAS WHEN I ARRIVED IN CANADA |
