Written after Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada in September 2004. I Felt the Spirit Once again I felt the spirit. It bubbled within. The spiritual tide hit me with more force than hurricane Ivans ferocious winds. I felt the spirit and I was elated because I knew that in times when the flesh is weak, the spirit can be powerful. The spirit is the ingredient that will always lift us from the havoc wrought by disasters. The spirit will give us hope. I felt the spirit, which in the past, enabled us to forge a pleasant relationship with each other, and throughout the years, helped cultivate that affable unity among us. Indeed, there were times when political chaos raised its ugly head, but we must let that remain in the past. The clarion call goes out for unity. Our Spice Isle is wounded and bruised, and as one people, we must struggle to help it rise from its dilapidated state. I felt the spirit of the headmaster R. O. Palmer who always encouraged his students to strive to do their very best. He taught us to pursue excellence at all times because nothing, but the best was good enough. He encouraged us to memorize the famous words by Longfellow: The heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night. He urged us to strike the iron while it was hot, in order to obtain the best result. He told us to “strike with all our might.” In times of national disaster, we have to assist with all our might. I felt the spirit of the scoutmasters and guide leaders who taught all the young men and women how to handle themselves in difficult situations. We learned to tie knots, climb mountains, and to perform helpful deeds in the community. We were also encouraged to hold the hands of the old and feeble, as they crossed the streets. We were beseeched to respect our elders and those who failed to do so felt the wrath of teachers and parents. We learned to give a helping hand when the need arose. We knew love. I felt the spirit when I reflected on Miss Cinty, Tyrones mother, who often shared her Sunday lunch with the neighbors. She called all the neighborhood children to her house for a spirited celebration on Christmas Day. Such generosity was prevalent among neighbors. I remembered the chicken feet that Miss Teresita stewed so well, and as she bit into the mouth-watering gummy part, she used to poke her head out her window and shout, Ah ha! Georgiana! Christ is the answer! Gumarrre!” The gumare was the gluey part of the stewed chicken feet. The term Christ is the Answer was borrowed from a popular revival that was once held at the Market Hill Pentecostal church. I felt the spirit when I heard about the togetherness that existed, especially in the rural parts of Grenada after Hurricane Ivan struck. People came together with their strong motivation to help. It was refreshing to hear that the maroon spirit lived. I was thrilled when I heard of the young men from Florida who put back the roof on Errols mothers house after Ivan knocked it off. Many Grenadians in years past used to pool their strength and expertise to help each other construct houses and clear land.They pounded nails into roofs and feasted on oildown and foods that were prepared for the occasion. It was the same spirit, which moved within the pioneers who traveled to England in the 1950s and 60s, and who sent for their families and friends. It was the spirit that motivated Mr. Rush to offer lodging to a Grenadian he did not know who had just stepped off the plane at JFK International Airport. We must keep such warmth alive. I felt the spirit that energized strong community figures as Pa Ferdie, Shuff Peters of Gouyave, Ben Roberts, Willie Redhead and also sport personalities like Big Bear, Roy St. John and “Papa Plug.” Those were some of our respected salt of the earth. They fostered a tight kinship among Grenadians when they mobilized people to work or play together. We need that spirit today. Unity must never take a holiday. Throughout the various parishes, there are good-hearted people. Community spirit never fails and people who lend their energies to advance the welfare of their fellowmen must always be acknowledged. Lift them up high! I felt the spirit when I thought of parents who woke their children early in the morning so that they could tie their goats and sheep before heading off to school. That called for discipline. The children looked after their animals and had time to help their parents with household chores, and still found time to do their homework. I felt the spirit and I was reminded of the time my brother Chris and I planted corn in Belmont. It was hard work forking the ground, but the joy came when we got some corn to roast on the coal pot. The soil is our hope. The hurricane will always devastate the crops, but we must plant again, and again, and again. We must maintain the spirit that in the past urged people to help out at the fair, harvest or garden party. We must keep the spirit that makes it easy to say good-day to our neighbor. We must preserve the spirit of charity and friendship. Please help the families og Gouyave whose houses were destroyed by fire. Anthony Wendell DeRiggs amazon/Recollections-Island-Man-Anthony-DeRiggs/dp/0977491609
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 10:51:27 +0000
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