Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: HISTORY (03/10/22)
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TITLE: A walk down memory lane | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene MCPherson
03/17/22 -
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Every Sunday morning Papa left with us on a long trek from the house to any destination that "beckons" us. He did not disclose the plans for the journey to mama, however, she trusted him. We obediently followed his leading and all our Sundays were always phenomenal.
We left at about 7:30 am and we walked up the road and were out of the vicinity of our tenement yard soon. The road was not busy with neither vehicular nor pedestrian traffic so we moved leisurely as though we owned the thoroughfare. Several families were at home, so the atmosphere was calm and peaceful. We met people on their way to church service. We saw many different buildings and beautiful houses with manicured lawns that gave a picturesque view of storybook lives that we craved.
Returning home was always a new experience. On one occasion we were greeted with the aroma of chocolate tea tinged with ackee and salt fish, and roasted breadfruit: the beverage was a cold fruit drink.
To top it all, the setting of the table was for royalties, and we were the recipients! Mama used her white starched iron tablecloth with the napkins and her silverware cutleries for our use. We were also favoured with the use of the special plates from the cabinet as utensils for our breakfast. Wow! What a treat!
We washed hands and went straight to the open arms of the table. We dined were satisfied with the sumptuous meal that mama prepared while we were out. That day we sang her praises.
Monday, the start of a new week was the beginning of his "talk with God". His dressing for his work followed a routine and we were also being prepared for school.
"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?" he quoted from memory.(KJV.Psalm27:1)
Once the scripture quotation started, silence reigned. It was if we were welcoming God's presence into the house and our lives. Daily, we enjoyed it, although we have never expressed our thanks to him.
In the evenings we were in for another treat. After dinner, he ritually read. His head moved quickly as he turned the pages rapidly, but not for long before he mused aloud:
"Oh, what will she do now?"
"Ha, ha, ah, he laughed. " listen to this…" he called.
One of us came out to the veranda where he sat and listened as he engaged us in the mystery.
He did not just read for himself but ensured that we were also reading
commensurate with our level.
During the summer months, our mother brought our textbooks from the book list sent with the report to us for the new school term.
"Bring your reading book and let us read the stories." was his usual command to us.
We happily complied with his orders. We mastered all the new words, could answer all the questions based on the story, and could retell the story. Armed with these new skills we prepared for any challenge the teacher would throw at us at school.
Going down this memory lane has caused me to realize that I have been using one of Papa's activities. I quote the scriptures daily but with a difference. To Papa, the words were powerful but I am doing so because of my relationship with Christ and his promises to me as a believer.
It is a pity I did not have the born-again experience then to point him to the way of salvation.
Non-fiction
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