Hats off to Jamaican spirit and resilience!

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Hats must be lifted in praise of the tenacity of the Jamaican entrepreneur. Despite adversities, the markets are abuzz with joy. Coaster drivers, taxi operators and commuters ensure “livity” and livelihood in their interactions.

The business districts have early-morning devotions, music boxes play gospel music. God surely is blessing their praise. The first sales proceeds are tucked away for offerings and tithes. Many transport operators do not play secular music in their vehicles until mid-morning.

Even limping physically, socially or emotionally, these brave warriors are on their stools and pans under tarpaulins to serve with love and goodwill. Transportation operators explain that there is not time to waste and, in the wee hours of the morning, are tooting their horns. Warning: bus around the corner, time to wake up and work! Badges of Merit and Honour and Orders of Jamaica must be conferred on these ‘the least of these’ (The Holy Bible, Mathew 25, 40-45), who keep the Jamaican economy afloat on their shoulders.

There are specialists dedicated to school supplies, school uniforms, others to household cleaning supplies, yet others to ground provisions or refreshing cool drinks. If there is something you need, just consult these experts and you will have refreshing solutions.

Pass by these streets, you will get the warmest hugs, you are noticed, someone knows your name. You have many “sons”, “daughters”, “nephews and nieces”. When lucky, you get a “girlfriend” salutation. Advice is provided on the latest fashion, healthcare and affairs of the “heart”. Loving concern, if you are travelling near any hospital, especially in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital. “Precious” to hold your hand ... :”Lady, you need prayers and get some “cat claw”. Intuitively cognisant of the customer’s readiness to learn and have access to technology, immediately zoning into levels of literacy, “Precious” was advising ...”Just Google it”.

Brilliance beyond all academic halls resides in the hearts and hands of our people. They have excellent acuity to make correct assessments in customer relations. Prices can be adjusted and bargains arranged. Pay day is every day. They know no strike or holiday. As the Christmas season nears, it is business 24/7. They realise no pension is assured and that disaster is always waiting at the door.

Every street-corner encounter is dynamic: “Aunty, you have fi hab yuh owna money, nobady else fi teck care ah yuh”, and so the hollering for sale items continued all the way down the street. It is active resuscitation punctuated with juke box beats. One granny vendor watching a sitting parliament summarised scoffingly: “ Missis, afta all ah dat talk an mi and yuh have fi go pay wi bill dem”. Then, smiling, she enquired: “So, what you deh buy fram mi tiday?”

There is much to be praised for their love that keeps Jamaica living on ... ‘tiday’!

HELEN-ANN ELIZABETH