Who Am I?

My Birth

It was during the festival, when everyone was happy, happy, happy and enjoying themselves, that I was born. Fortunately, one of the invited guests was a midwife, and she helped my mother deliver me. I can only imagine the surprise for both my mom and dad. After my birth, my dad had to leave my mom and return home. He left my mom with relatives until she was able to return to Kingston to care for her other two children, who anxiously and happily waited to see their mom and the newborn baby.

My birth took place in the island of Jamaica, West Indies, in the parish of Portland, in the eastern part of the island.

All things bright and beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things bright and beautiful

The good Lord made them all.

From birth I was called Cutie, and I have no idea why, because that name is not on my birth certificate. Nevertheless, that name has stuck with me.

Following my birth, my mother had to remain in the parish of Portland to recuperate under the medical supervision of the midwife until she was able to return to her hometown in Kingston, Jamaica. Life continued until it seemed that there was epidemic after epidemic of sickness followed by death in my family. Both of my parents died when I was two years old. Medicine was not as available then as it is today. Clearly, with the advancement of medicine and pharmaceuticals today, people are living healthier, happier, and longer lives. After our parents’ deaths, we children were left in the care of our grandparents and my mother’s siblings. This was inevitable. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). My two elder siblings were raised on the outskirts of the city, in Buff Bay, by my dad’s relatives.