We huffed and puffed up to the island top in search of the
path leading to the unsuspecting jajjas. Our visit this year was a little later
than normal so we thought they’d be completely surprised…yet the boat driver
(not sure what you call a fiberglass motorboat driver) beat us to their home
and spoiled the surprise. This man unknown to the family spent his afternoon
helping these 80+ year old ladies with some chores around their house including
picking a few of the choice pineapples for our enjoyment upon arrival.
The bread and butter was jajja Manjerry’s (Marjorie) favorite
gift among the sugar, rice, and other small gifts. No bread and butter for
these little old ladies who will likely never get off the island again before
they die. Among the many things we chatted about, jajja Ida asked about Heidi
and when she would return and she asked about my sister – the one who made them
blankets – and asked when she would come visit too.
Only the two elder ladies were reclining at home while the
younger was off working somewhere. I noticed their hearing was acute, their
memories intact, and their bodies literally worked to the bone. Such dear
ladies.