One Time Long Time - HOME SWEET HOME

Octavia Smith

Smith's residence Glastonbury aka Lime Tree Trelawny was a village; a community;  a farm; a school; a church;  a great house without slaves nor slave masters.

A humble abode but a rich experience and an exciting space. It was a little house that felt big with pride and confidence. There was a unique mix of old and modern amenities, fixtures, and furniture.

Three meals a day plus night cap- a cup of hot beverage with buttered bread or something baked.

Evening walks; homework at the dining table and prayer times were signature moments.  Boys held the girls' hands when we journeyed by ourselves to church.  Out of Mama's sight that was aborted but we were expected to return home together and so we did by waiting around the corner. Early morning trips on Linda Rose and confidence buses to grandma's house was a  regular happening.  Other times we travelled as a family on a chartered ride.

Social graces were taught; spoken English emphasized and we became readers early.  Every task; every chore; every interaction was a teaching and learning moment.

It was indeed a solid foundation built to carry us through and throughout our lives. We were never shackled; stone walled;  nor even  "perimeter fenced". Visible but never exposed; public but lived privately.

Class never meant grade or graduation; it simply meant pleasant,  wholesome, tasty, and timeless. Foundation set - I hope to build on it.

Editor:

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