I just celebrated my 50th BD and it feels so great to reflect upon the years gone by while growing up in Treasure Beach.

I remember the rainy seasons; pushing cars through the flooded road, pond cakes in the ponds, the smell of mud from Great Pond, and frogs croaking at night under starry skies.

I recall windy days when the breeze caused the the seymour and guinea grass to sway from side to side. Days when you'd hear goats bleating in the distance; and when you'd hear the sound of an outboard engine from some distance away as it traversed the Bay.

Lazy days with bees buzzing in the Lignum Vitae, or crowding the water drums as we went to fill our bucket.

I remember the days when men, some now deceased, threw their seines into the Sea to haul the abundance that no longer exists. We waited for the haul so patiently, knowing we'd have pails of crayfish to take home and boil in sea water. Once cooked, all we needed was a little lime to enjoy our catch.

I recall the boys and girls I played with in school, or played hide and seek with. It was an age of relative innocence without paved roads, lack of running water, no electricity and, yes, no TV or electronic games.

Looking back now, I'm reminded of one of my favorite Beatles songs "In My Life". I consider my generation among the fortunate ones. For every memory I have mentioned, there are dozens more I haven't (in the interest of time and space on this site).

So I salute everyone from Treasure Beach celebrating the Big 50 this year. No matter what life throws at you, no matter how down you may get at times, remember where you came from and how it was back then. Don't let politics and economic disillusion distract you from your true identity. A famous person once said "You can never go home again"; not true because I do it all the time, in my mind. There is a place that still lives on inside of us, through our memories. However you recall, if those memories don't evoke a secret smile, or a silent tear of joy, I'd be surprised.

I am
Grateful.

Such a nice post...
You made me reflect on my good fortune having reached the age of 56. Never complain about aging...some dont get the privledge ..

Nicely said! You will always be RICH, growing up in Jamaica is a TREASURE you will never be without! Lucky you! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Lovely Memories! Happy Birthday!

"There is a place that still lives on inside of us, through our memories". This is a great post. I am no longer living in JA. But I go there everyday. Oh how I miss Ja. I remembered laying on the varanda with a pillow at my head on the tile enjoying the cool breeze, only because the room was too hot. I remembered all of my friends coming over to "run a boat"(cook). I am not in my 50s not even close, but I do hope that when I get there I will be living out those memories once again in JA.

Thanks Grateful, my memories of TB are short but sweet. I grew up in the city life of Kingston but was always a country boy at heart.

Beating you by a decade near the end of the month, I never had the distractions of the toys, tools and conveniences available today. I enjoy them all now, especially the communication and information available on the internet. However no devise can match sweet breezes, lapping waves, rustling leaves and the night sounds. Food for the spirit.

Thanks for reminding me not to be distracted from the real me by politics and economy. In the midst of this current evolution/readjustment these reminders help and inspire.

Happy Birthday.

Thank you guys. This was exactly the gift I wanted to share for my Birthday when I opened this post: positive vibes. Sometimes we get lost in the rat race, trying to be heard above all the noise. I just wanted to try to bring us back to the center; back to love.