Jamaica: Memories that last a lifetime

THE EDITOR, Sir:

MY FATHER was Jamaican. He came to America and became a dentist. He left his imprint of hard work on me.

I am proud of my Jamaican heritage and tell people about my proud roots. It is with honour and pride that I display parts of my Jamaican culture in my home in Louisiana.

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Negril. When the plane landed in Montego Bay, I felt re-energised. It didn’t matter that there were hundreds of people in the airport waiting to enjoy the island. I felt excited and peaceful at the same time.

When one of the staff said, “One love,” our cares were left behind. There is a peacefulness that enthrals you when you visit beautiful Jamaica. The richness of the culture and the natural joy of its people make Jamaica unique in the world. Spirit and hope reside on this island. You see it and you feel it. I can recall with great fondness the countless times my dad told me about his growing up in Pratville.

There weren’t any Jamaicans living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the time, yet my dad was well respected by the people there. My dad sponsored his nephew (my cousin) and saw to it that he got a job in one of the hospitals there. He maintained that job until he retired. Am I surprised? Not really, because, as Jamaicans, we help each other.

Each time I visit Jamaica, I leave a better person. My dad and my American mom taught me many life lessons. One was to treat all people with dignity and respect. Yes, Jamaica, me crazy, and yes, Jamaica, me love! JAMES EWERS ewers.jr56@yahoo.com New Orleans, Louisiana