82 going on 20

 

My grandmother, who is now 82 years old worked on a plantation (cocoa and nutmeg) for  years, from 1951-1990 and still going strong. She had six children while working on that plantation. she was married but that marriage did not last long so she had to fight it on her own.

It is the peace of mind that comes with faith in God that made her push on. When ever she would share of things that happened in the past, on the estate and on her way to the farm she would always say "if wasn't for God" she would have been dead.

I am now 34 years old, and ever since knowing my grand mother, she is always on her feet doing something in her garden. Back then she would have to walk at least 10 miles back and forth to get to the estate and two miles back and fort to get to her farm. She don't go to town or take any long ride on vehicles. Exercise is on of the benefits that come from farming our traditional way and its good for our health  http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/exercise/benefits-of-walking.htm.

My grandmother loves her ground provision, and just about anything the land produce. She does not eat junk food and loves her local fruit juices. She only uses the herbs that grow around the yard for her tea (lemon grass, black stage, rosemary, jack paner, orange peal, etc). These herbs have their scientific names but we know them by their local name.  http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/7-herbal-teas-that-will-make-you-healthy

My grandmother has never been ill to the extent of having to run to a doctor. whenever she may feel something coming on, she will find some of  herb that will aid in the relief of the complaint. I am not saying that we don't have to go to the doctor but most time it can be avoided.  She is a very conscious person. She acts on precaution, which is much better than cure. She would say " boyi you jus come out in d sun, u en even koolin out",  " u jus take out shoes, u fut on d grun " " boyi  dou take out u clothes in the breze". All this, just so the pain, when the age starts to hit would not be great. 

 At this age my grandmother still go the garden and still make her little panqui (work small jobs in people garden or round their home).  At  times she work's with the government debushing program.
She wakes early on a morning sets off and has no complain, whatsoever.

Our land has much to offer and our grandparents also. Lets try to collect some of the data they have stored inside their minds, so our generation and the ones after us will live long and healthy lives. We say that the old folks dying with the knowledge and not passing it on, but have we taken the time to sit and ask them for that knowledge. When ever I chat with the older folks about the pass, I see that joy that comes on their faces even tough there will be some moments of sad situations.

From studying part of my grandmother's life journey it is amazing, at that age, she is so strong like a twenty year old.  Farming has tremendous benefits not just material wise or profit, but also health. I will continue to tap into that resources that is available and pass it on to my children.

Every farmers moto should be, "Eat what you grow and grow what you eat".