GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER. CLEMENTINA SAUNDERS VINCENT
When my mother had to leave home to work elsewhere, my grandmother assumed the responsibility of caregiver for me and my older brother and the other children who followed. Her kindness and gentleness, loving spirit and her ability to make ends meet were legendary . She raised chickens, pigs, goats, and did some small farming around the house, along with my grandfather.
You could even say that she was a surgeon of sorts, as I remember that one hen had an encounter with a dog, which left her with a damaged chest and crop. This hen was one of her prized possessions which she was not about to lose without a fight. With the aid of needle and thread and some healing herbs, she successfully stitched the wound and in time the hen was sound again. Her use of medicinal herbs were enough to keep us quite healthy, even though some of them were greatly feared because of their taste and smell.
She was an excellent cook, making something out of nothing, and the most delicious rice and peas with great coconut flavour. Soups and stews, potato and cornmeal puddings were also a part of her culinary arsenal.
From her we learned the names and uses of the plants around, which I believe , influenced my study of Botany . Some of the old stories such as ghost stories, Anancy stories, which she learned from her parents, scared the life out of us children.
Although not living in wealthy circumstances, my childhood was full of play and adventure as we explored the countryside and developed a taste for and love of the outdoors and all the fruits growing around us.
Going to church on Sunday was the highlight of our week and has helped to shape our lives.
