Page 20 - Inez Gwendoline Ellis

MEMORIES OF MY-MAR
As a little boy growing up on the Island of South Caicos, around the age of 8 or 9, I always remember hearing the prayers of my Mar coming from her bedroom just next to mine on the upper floor of our two-story home. She would say “Lord, I thank you for my family, (whilst calling out each of her children’s names) allow me to live long enough to see them grow and have their own families especially my last child Ran.” I would silently agree by saying “Yes Lord.” During the mornings and especially on the weekends, my Mar would sing her favorite hymns and Sankey songs whilst doing her chores, she would say “Come, Ran, sing with your Mar,” I would then join in with her singing along. She would say “Now you have to sing the other part,” Not knowing exactly what she meant, she would sing the part for me and eventually I caught on. Then we would sing wonderful harmonies together, she taught me how to sing during those days. Being the last child of the family, by the age of 12 or 13, my older siblings had already left to pursue careers or further their education, so it was only my Daddy, my Mar and me at home. My-Mar was very protective of me, she didn’t allow me to hang out with or around “Bad-company” as she would say. I have so many memories of my Mar but this one I will never forget, one afternoon before she left the house for work, she asked me not to go outside her house. Being disobedient, I bathed my skin, put on my nice clothes and went to a dance that was being held for the kids at the Old School building on the Hill in South Caicos. I was hanging out with friends, talking to the girls, dancing and having fun. It soon became dark, and I said to myself “Okay, just one more dance than I would go home before she gets off.” Well, little did I know my Mar had gotten off work early that evening. I’m now on the floor dancing in the crowd and immediately I felt a lick behind my head then another on my back, and heard that voice “Your brute, I asked you not to go out my house,” I ducked down through the crowd and made my escape through a side door, down the hill, making my way home. Straight to my bedroom I went and didn’t come out. These are just some of the fond memories of how my Mar influenced and shaped my life in such a way, molding me into the man I have become today. We always talked and laughed about those days, but I am ever so grateful for how she kept me protected from bad influences. I thanked God for the ninety-four years that he blessed you with to see all your children grown with their own families. My heart is sad as I bid you farewell, but I take comfort in knowing that you are with your Lord and saviour and no longer in pain. So, for now goodbye Mar, take your much needed rest. I love you but Jesus loves you best. Until we meet again on that great resurrection morning, I’ll cherish the memories that we shared.
Love your baby boy
Randy (Ran)