I have cherished memories of my first and other Xmas holidays while living in a Logie (former slave house) at Rose Hall sugar estate in Canje, Berbice.
I do remember when my loving sister Shirley Savitri ( Rhoda) was very small at about 75 years ago my parents gave her a DOLLY.
Her name was Guendaline. As boys we got some toys. One was a small vehicle on wheels in a piece of metal what when we pushed them they ran off. At that time, we never saw a motor vehicle so it was excitement and more fun.
The Xmas lunch then was fowl curry, dholl puri, potato curry and slices of cake not baked by my Ma.
The food was washed down by ginger beer.
Oh I must remember we got Xmas apples and grapes.
Though poor we looked forward to Xmas and we got the best from our poor parents.
As the family increased to 7 of us ( myself the eldest) we moved over to Canefield .
Xmas was ostentatious since Pa got more money and I earned a good sum which made the Xmas very festive.
For children thereafter it was more toys and the Xmas tree.
As others we believed that Xmas Father will bring us valuable gifts.
With electricity in the home and a very comfortable environment and with increased total income, some from the LINK BELT FARM which I cultivated, our home chicken farm etc, made the foundation for an accelerated high school education for all the Sukdeo children. a remarkable achievement then.
Those detailed memories are with me for documentation for a poverty-stricken family to emerge as one of the most outstanding families in Guyana.. THE SUKDEO blood line.
For myself I do remember and reflect on the 50 years plus spending the Xmas season at Oleander Gardens living with my family and others with (Mrs.) the outstanding scholar( Dr. Iris Devika Sukdeo) and myself providing a happy Xmas environment.
I do remember my son Krishna preparing for his first year at Stella Marris primary school who was excited to dress up with his Xmas gown and parading in the verandah with excitement for going to his school’s Xmas party.
During the last three years after my dear beloved said goodbye, I have been successful to take on the many challenges and preparation to live towards 104 years.
As you are aware. I am now 86 years. I am healthy with almost no major disease and still driving at 86 (a little record for my age) with almost perfect memory as sharp at the razor’s edge.
Above all I pray daily for Divine guidance to achieve knowledge, intelligence, wealth ( material and spiritual) and upholding the teachings of Vedic Dharma under the 10 principles of Arya Samaj for my Solus’s inevitable journey.
Just a sideline at the opening recently of the Maharishi Swami Dayanand Gurukula, Guyana chapter, which I attended at Uitvlugt, the learned founder and world-famous Acharya Dr. Satish Prakash requested me to address the large gathering including international invitees.
My presentation was so well received that I was given a warm reception.
As I am advancing in age, I am dedicating my contribution towards projects to make the world noble and initiating activities for promoting Arya Samaj and Vedic Dharma.
I implore you for your supporting contribution.
Yes, I love you all very much.
My desire for us as a family to live in love and harmony with the support of others.
To forget the past negatives of life as my late brother Dr. Clement Rajpaul Sukdeo so frequently says Mr. Brown (a former descendant of slavery and a very old man who was very close to our Nigger Yard home) says ” WAH GONE GONE wha blow way blow way”
Let us forget and forgive.
Namaste
Best wishes for the entire season.