Loving the Life I Live

Thursday, October 31, 2013
2:00 PM

Musings for Today


I was born, raised, and lived in STL all my life, 10 years before retirement I decided that I did not want STL to be the only place I had ever lived. I had been all over the US, and to many Caribbean Islands, so I started journaling the places I visited. I also came to the conclusion that one of the Islands would be suitable for me, I begun going through the alphabet seeking that place, I soon realized which one would be my Home.

I made the decision to move to Jamaica after many years of traveling to other places but finding that even after a few weeks  in places around the USA or other places in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, there was still something missing, that it seemed I could only Satisfy in Jamaica. So I made the choice.

I made friends with a Jamaican living in Canada and the first day we met she asked me, "So what will you do when you retire to Jamaica"? I realsied that I had been hearing that from All the Jamaican friends I met in my travels as a Tourist. "What will you do when you move to Jamaica" I am sure my Family were Alarmed and friends were curious, Co workers did not believe me, I understand many discussions regarding my plans were had and most came to the conclusion it would Never happen.

When  asked what will I do in Jamaica my answer was always I will Live, Enjoy and just have a great time. Be a Beach bum, travel to every nook and cranny of it,  just Full Joy my life, my new chapter, perhaps the final chapters. Jamaican friends where amazed at the fact that I would retire to do nothing in Jamaica. One Woman's trash is another Woman's Treasure. One Man's Dream is another man's Nightmare. And this one belonged to me. my Dream, my decision.

I retired December 28, 2008, was due to fly to Jamaica on December 30, 2008 but due to not being satisfied with the things I packed, I canceled my flight rebooked it, repacked and arrived at my new home on January 1, 2009. That first year was filled with lots of fun and meeting new people, most that I don't even see nor want to see now. Some Really nice ones and some who did not make the grade, or perhaps I did not make the grade, whatever the reason, I learned many new lessons about life and the way humans treat each other.

One of the lessons learned is that No matter Where I Go, There I am and after 58 years and now almost 62 I realize that In life you have to be able to make a choice, like turning on a dime. Quick. I've also learned that whatever I do it has to be my Choice.

Now almost 4 years later, I am not a beach bum, hell rarely do I make it to the Beach, a lot goes on there lots that I'm not interested in being a part of, but lots of fun things also. I also though I would continue my Life style of moving when company came, the reality is you can not survive living in Jamaica if you do it as a Tourist. You have to learn to budget, and learn to assimilate yourself into the Culture, from living, to shopping even be choosy in the friends you make.

I spend a lot of time home, reading books, on the computer, talking to family/friends on the phone, going to shows and out to lunch or dinner but mainly we cook at home. I am not the Jet set Diva that I actually never was, but thought having so much time on my hands would afford me, I am still me, the Woman who loves doing the things above, along with Family and Friends with out  a lot of fan fare. Simple. Sweet. Fun.
I've found an even greater appreciation for the finer and Simpler things life in Jamaica has to offer. Like now the rain is falling and I still stop what I am doing to gaze out, or go out into to just feel it, as it cleanses the kinks from my body, I love gazing  out my window as the Children head off to school and watch over them as they pass my Window on their way home. I enjoy spending time with friends on a road trip to the South coast to pelican Bar and YS Falls, or a day in my yard in Clarendon holding class for my little relatives, going to May Pen to work on the computer and later to KFC to pick up dinner, I enjoy coming out of my house and sitting on my country bench as I watch my Friends who work in the cane fields as the go off to work and being there waiting as they come home some looking for me to give me a shout out. In Negril it's different a more private yard but close to the road to enjoy the same sights people, children on their way to the places that are on their schedule.

 

Being here has taught me that it is OK to be me, Ok to just run as much or as little to the things that please me and I don't have to be in a rush to get there, I learned Jamaica No Problem because being here is all about Me, and the many People I have met Along the Way.  I like that.