Caribbeans tend to take religion very seriously and try to raise their families by bible teachings and doctrines. I was one of the few grandchildren in Jamaica that had a Granny who was dedicated to observing her Sabbath. As early in my life as I can remember my Granny and I celebrated the Sabbath together most Friday to Saturday evenings. Sabbath was a very sacred time for Granny. At first, I didn't really understand the significance of observing that 24 hour period, but as I grew older things became more clearer to me.
I used to remember her making preparations in the house all week for the Sabbath. The house cleaning, shopping and food preparation were completed prior to Friday afternoon, no matter how tired she was, her spirit never fizzled as she finished the tasks necessary for a successful Sabbath.
I recall her always inviting me over, and I would be so excited because there was usually a hint that there would be Grape-nut icecream and cake served. Granny knew that I liked those items for dessert, so it was her way to make sure that I would attend her Sabbath Celebration.
Granny was always in the kitchen cooking harriedly in order to have the meals prepared before sundown. However we did not eat those meals until after Sabbath which was the next evening at around 7 p.m. This concept took me awhile to understand. During Sabbath there was no gaiety, cooking festivities or business transactions in Granny's house. It was like a pre-lude to the "Survivor Series". It was definitely a test of our devotion to God. We usually fasted from Friday Evening until Saturday evening, surviving on prayer, water and bread. We were surrounded by kerosene lamps and candles, because turning on the light was considered an unholy activity on these days.
On Saturday morning we would go to church all day to pray and sing and when we returned home, it was time for a lavish dinner. The Sabbath was ended with a cool drink of water and a typical Caribbean meal. While enduring the Sabbath with Granny, I must have asked her a dozen times each minute, "Is Sabbath over yet?" She would smile and reply, "If you practice the Sabbath enough, it will become second nature." At first it was a task, not being able to watch t.v., listening to the radio or talking on the phone, then eventually I adapted to the demands of this celebration. I learned to appreciate Christian songs, and bible stories. Although sometimes I would wait until Granny was sleeping to look for candies, she usually met me at the hallway and waved her bible for me to go back to bed. As I grew older watching her participate in this religious observance became more interesting. She was so committed to her fasting and praying, that if a family member requested her presence at a function. They usually had to wait until her Sabbath was over. It really was a way of life for Granny, this was her method of paying homage to God. She always preached, "Keep the Sabbath Day holy." Since Granny passed on I try to observe the Sabbath in my own way, but I must admit my way is not as stringent as her teachings. I celebrate the Sabbath in order to memorialize her essence as one of the most holy women I have ever known.
