Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Remembering Joyce
A dash of tradition
1 pint of staunch independence
a drizzle of the real Jamaican Sugar Cane Juice
an ounce of skepticism
2 pounds of sharp wit,
3 bits of deep seated sometimes extreme opinions
mixed in with a jigger of dry humor
and wry commentary
not shaken, not stirred but mildly fermented
the product of this recipe was a sweet, funny, entertaining, intelligent, admired, well traveled, engaging and popular individual. That was my cousin Joyce.
I remember when I was a little girl living in Jamaica my dad, Joyce's Uncle, would take me to visit his sister which are amongst my earliest memories of Joyce. As a young woman in her twenties she was very elegant and cosmopolitan often dressed in a long flowing caftan. I recall her sitting with the adults, gin and tonic in hand, sipping daintily, and regaling a tale of her latest travels. I was never quite sure what a 'pip' was but whenever Joyce was genuinely amused by anyone she would laugh and say “what a pip!”. Happily I got to be dubbed a pip quite a few times.
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to reconnect with Joyce when I became an adult. In particular when I moved here to Florida in 1999. We enjoyed a very close relationship up to and during her illness. She was like my big sister always looking out for me and offering sage advice. I am very blessed and very grateful to have had her in my life.
It was truly difficult to witness the last two years of Joyce's life as she navigated some turbulent times dealing with a variety of health challenges that kept her immobile. As a testimony to how admired and respected she was I was more than pleased and very grateful to know that she had friends that were like family here in Tallahassee. On behalf of our family I would like to express sincere appreciation and thanks to Judy, Marilyn and Vicki whom I did have the pleasure of meeting. They were her guardian angels in many of her darker days. I am happy that you all could be here for her when one of us could not be here.
Anthony I am here for you. Joyce I love you and miss you. May your soul rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon you.
