Freshly minted member of parliament for Clarendon North Central, Robert Nesta Morgan, is one who places emphasis on the importance of family. It is for this reason that his memory for Christmas I ll Never Forget is based on his early years spent growing up in Woodhall, Clarendon.
Christmas for Morgan was spent with his grandmother whom he affectionately called Miss Rita, making grater cake, coconut drops and puddings. It would be a family tradition within his household to partake in her treats on Christmas Day. It was always a joy when we got the chance to eat them. It was a time that we could enjoy ourselves, even though we didn t have much. Just being with family and enjoying the atmosphere with lovely food and treats, he said.
A quick glance at the life of actor Kadeem Wilson will show he is far from the rough persona he plays in the gritty movie Ghett A Life and most recently in Sprinter .
Wilson, 29, who hails from the inner-city community of Franklyn Town, St Andrew, is described as family-oriented and filled with good cheer. The actor always anticipates the Christmas season, as it allows him to spend time with his extended family who he does not see regularly.
Typically, he celebrates Christmas by himself, as most of his relatives live overseas. But he said last Christmas was his
Christmas I ll Never Forget as his extended family gathered to spend time with his great-grandmother, Esmin Dixon Mills.
Cole (right) played Santa Claus earlier this year to Paula Townsend and her son Jardene.
Jamaica Defence Force staff sergeant Kaniel Cole has grown to appreciate the spirit of Christmas, that is centred around family, altruism and love.
Cole, who has been using his social media platform to raise funds for the needy, is grateful for the Yuletide season, as it allows him the opportunity to share with others.
The experience of being less fortunate is one that hits close to home for the Spanish Town, St Catherine native. He shared that his father, a taxi driver, and his mother, a dressmaker, were unable to give him and his four siblings gifts for Christmas as they were poor.
Noted storyteller Amina Blackwood-Meeks says her
Christmas I ll Never Forget memory is not just a memory, but an experience . And it s one she still partakes in yearly, because as with storytelling, the Christmas spirit needs to be continued through generations.
All her family members prepare their designated Christmas dishes and gather at a central location to partake in the meal while enjoying each other s company.
She said her first time experiencing it was when she was a teenager, but laughed as she recalled she was initially miserable. It was at a time when you did not understand the significance of the family sharing dinner like that. You just know say it was dinner time and yuh want to eat, and somebody nuh come with the dinner, but as you grow you understand the significance of family, she said.
December 15, 2020
Antoinette Aiken
Antoinette Toni Aiken is noted for her contribution to Jamaica as a sign language expert. While she enjoys her role as a communicator on behalf of the deaf community, she loves spending time with family, being surrounded with their love and laughter as it is synonymous with the spirit of good cheer the Christmas season brings. I have learned that love brings out the best in people. I don t know if it s because it s a festive season, but it seems to bring out the best of people, Aiken said.
December 25 holds special significance for Aiken. It is the birthday of her maternal grandmother, Patricia Hutchinson, and a day to honour her late paternal grandmother Pansy Aiken, who died when she was 19.