The Editor, Sir:

Jamaica is unique in many ways: in sports, in music, in the arts, in academia, our cuisine, etc, in every aspect of life, you name it, we stand out, but in my humble opinion, what really makes us who we are is the Jamaican spirit.

It is the spirit of camaraderie, the spirit of loving and caring, simply put, the spirit of brotherly love that the Bible speaks about. It was dominant among the older generation and, thank God, it is still strong in this day and age.

What makes this spirit thrive

I don't know what makes this spirit thrive so much, whether it's in the genes or the environment; one thing I know, it's a wonderful spirit. It is the spirit that makes strangers gravitate to us, and that's why those in the diaspora yearn to come back home.

What else could have prompted those brave young fellows to risk their lives by rescuing the driver of that Guardsman van from the murky waters of the Grants Pen gully? It is the selfless sacrifices of people like Patricia Bogle Baker of Botany Bay in St Thomas, and Father Paul Walsh of St Anthony Children's Home (both featured in the Sunday Outlook magazine, September 14) that have helped Jamaica to weather the storms of economic depression over the years.

I am sure, like me, you have read many anecdotes in the life of Usain Bolt, and it's amazing to see the many people who have played an active role in shaping his career, but the one that touched me most was the devotion by his manager, Mr Norman Peart.

God bless Jamaicans like those who have an eye for talent and nurture. It is people like the above mentioned who are the pillars of the Jamaican society, and who help the Jamaican spirit to grow stronger and stronger.

I am, etc.,

PATRICIA POWELL

Southfield PO