THE EDITOR, Sir:
SUNDAY AFTERNOON - the holiday weekend. My children were bored, so I decided to take them and a friend to 'Putt 'n Play' which is located across from the new Emancipation Park. After we were finished, I suggested we walk across and have a look around. I was transformed. We took a tour around the park and the boys were fascinated by the technology of the bathrooms. What child wouldn't be fascinated by toilets that flush automatically?
I had a seat on one of the benches while the three boys chatted idly nearby. And I sat and observed my surroundings. I noticed a man on a nearby bench feeding a young baby. A not-so-typical Jamaica father caring for a baby by himself, looking content and peaceful. A rare sight to say the least (yes - this sounds cynical but I dare anyone to say different). My view is obscured by the surrounding high-rise buildings, but I could easily pretend they weren't there and block out the sound of the nearby traffic.
I saw a man jogging around the park and the people employed to maintain the park, cutting and raking the grass. Security guards patrolled the premises to keep order, but it hardly seemed necessary. There were a number of people in the park, couples holding hands and chatting intimately, parents with kids. My boys decided to play tag....play tag? These are the same boys who only seem to understand TV and video games. I didn't even think they would even have heard of tag or appreciate the concept of playing outdoors.
I looked at the man with the baby again, he is bonding with him and kissing him gently on the forehead. I'm transfixed by the sight and my kids are laughing together and not arguing or fighting for a change. I have a glimpse of hope as I enjoy the peaceful setting. I picture myself in another time where people live in harmony. I briefly wonder how much tax dollars went into this park, but I don't worry about it for long because it would spoil my mood and I'm thinking it was well worth it.
There is soft music playing on these rock-shaped speakers placed strategically around the park. A couple helps to retrieve an umbrella for the man with the baby which helps to shield him from the afternoon sun.
I feel content and serene and am unwilling to leave and 'go back to reality.' But I know I can't stay there forever, but maybe I'll leave thinking that something good came out of the electoral campaigning and that perhaps there is hope for us if we can enjoy the simple things in life - family, love and laughter. We can also perhaps learn to get along with each other on some level and work together for a brighter future. OK, so it was just a trip to the park, but a person can dream, can't they?
I am etc.,
JOANNE FLETCHER-SALE
jofletchsale@yahoo.con
Kingston 6
Via Go-Jamaica
