The Way I See It

A Nevispages weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr

The way I see it, AGE is honourable and our seniors ought to be treated with the due care and dignity that they deserve.

Saturday, November 6, Mrs. Louvina Daniel, originally of Butler’s Village, but who now resides at the Flambuoyant Seniors’ home, celebrated her 94th birthday in grand style.

Her children phoned in from all parts of the world, to help to make her day great. Her granddaughters, who she raised from childhood, Judy Morton and Carla Glasgow, were there for her, bearing gifts.  They celebrated their beloved grandma and took pictures to commemorate the significant occasion.  NANA as they call her fondly, was delighted.

Well I newa!

Recently, the oldest individual on Nevis, Ms. Mary Browne, celebrated her 105th birthday.

Unfortunately, the celebrations were somewhat low keyed this year, as she is not as bright and as spritely as she was when she was 98.

At 98, I remember vividly, that she threaded a needle, without the aid of glasses and read a passage of scripture, from a bible with fairly small print.  I am not ashamed to admit that even if someone was willing to pay me a million dollars I would not have been able to read that fine print bible, nor thread the needle, without the aid of glasses.

She has taken the baton from the previous oldest person on the island who died not too long ago, at age 107, Ms. Celian Martin Powell.

Ms. Powell lived a long and fulfilling life and raised some fine children and grandchildren, who in turn looked after her in style and in turn are making significant contributions at their various ports of choice.

Then up in Rawlins village, we learnt of the passing of the venerable Nathan Neville Sutton.  He too lived a long and distinguished life and was well known as an itinerant preacher, who walked for miles, promulgating the gospel of Christ.

Then in Hamilton, there is Eliza LIZA Jeffers, who is not out 101.

So we have to say kudos to people like Sandra Maynard-Morton and Trudy Prentice and the entire staff at the Social Services Department, for their execution of a wonderful seniors program, which encapsulates the entire island population of seniors.

Thanks of course to the Nevis Island Administration for providing the program and thanks to people like Mr. Hensley Daniel for conceptualizing such wonderful ways of looking out for our seniors.

Now, reality is setting in. I remember vividly when I was 16. Now I am at that point when I am eagerly anticipating getting my first Social Security cheque.  Honestly, it is one of my stated goals and one which I hope to achieve before Jesus makes his second appearance, to end this world of turmoil.

I am thinking seriously that if the Lord permits me to be alive and in good health, that I will have a mini motorcade and blow some serious horn, going through Charlestown.

You see, I have worked hard all of my life, from since I was 16 years old and I never made a claim to Social Security.  Not that I have never been sick. Oh no!

However, I was always one to show up to work, even when things were not 100%.

I remember one year, being struck in my jawbone, while hooking at a Mickey Mills bouncer, on that track at Brick Kiln.  I retired hurt and even though in excruciating pain, when back in to bat at the fall of the next wicket.

Heartless PRAG (who incidentally became a close friend), bounced me again, first ball up and I promptly hooked him clean over the road for a maximum.

Later, I visited the hospital and discovered that my jawbone was fractured.

That was the Sunday.

Monday morning, bright and early, I reported to work at the Public Health office in Charlestown.  For the next few weeks, I was only able to take in liquids like water and soup. However, I was able to function and perform my regular duties as a Public Health Inspector.

Some folks I know, if they just break a fingernail, they would be looking for two weeks of sick leave!

So, I am looking forward to my age pension cheque, which will be paid for as long as I live.  I hope to live—in the words of the late Phinehas Griffin’- looonnnggggg!

As a matter of fact, I have already gone to the Social Security office and enquired as to my monthly payout cheque amount and you dear reader, if you are over 40 and beyond, you can start to enquire at the office about your possible payout amount and also to ensure now, before it is too late, that all of your previous employers, would have made the required payments on your behalf.

I was even planning to retire from playing Masters Cricket at the age of 62, but the way I am still hitting the ball, I am not too sure about that.

I also want to live as long as possible, by God’s grace, but I do not want to be a burden to anyone.

I have already given my good friend Rudy Claxton an assignment to provide me with a custom made rocking chair.  Should be able to sit on my porch and watch some of you youngsters going to work.

If I have the choice though, I do not want to be at an age and in such a condition that am unable to help myself.  If I live to see 94 like NANA, I want to be alert; have a decent memory; be able to walk around; cook for myself; wash my clothes and the like.  But it is all left up to God’s grace and his innumerable mercies. I will accept his will for my life.

The important thing for us to do though, is to live in accordance with God’s will, so that at whatever age the bell tolls, we will be truly ready to meet him.  I salute all of seniors for their tremendous contribution to our island community and may the younger ones seek to emulate their endeavours in honest labour.

That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?

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