Jamaicans tend to abbreviate many topics that are of a precarious nature, by only mentioning the first letter of the word they are trying to discuss. As a child there were two words that were always used very carefully and that was the “C” word, which was short for Cancer and the “D” word which was an abbreviation for Depression.
Jamaicans tend to abbreviate many topics that are of a precarious nature, by only mentioning the first letter of the word they are trying to discuss. As a child there were two words that were always used very carefully and that was the “C” word, which was short for Cancer and the “D” word which was an abbreviation for Depression.
My Granny did not like that word being used around her at all. She felt that if one had a good relationship with Jesus, there was no need to feel forlorn or hopeless in this world. Granny was sure that the Messiah could satisfy all our wants, needs and desires.
My Grandmother always reminded her grandchildren that God was an ever present help in the midst of conflict and adversity.
As a toddler all of Granny’s teachings regarding depression seemed fine and dandy, primarily because in a toddler’s life there really isn’t much to gripe about. However, as I became a teenager and life became more complicated, especially migrating to a new country, the “D” word became more familiar every day.
Granny and I would converse about why it was so easy for American youth to become depressed and downtrodden. She would comment, “How can any teenager remain optimistic in all this dreary weather? It is a known fact that sunshine soothes the spirit. Too much snow is not good, after all, we are not Eskimos.”
She would ramble on, “Everyday when I watch the Talk Shows, you hear about the depression of the younger generation. When we were coming up in Jamaica if we told our parents we were depressed, you know what they would say? Go and read a book to distract your mind. Nowadays, the children are overdosing on pills, running in front of trains, anything to end their lives prematurely.”
Granny would get so upset, she would sit in her reclining chair fiddling with her handkerchief with frustration, then continue….”If only they knew that they were leaving one personal hell for another.”
Granny felt that when a soul died in a tormented condition that it remained in that condition until it found eternal peace.
Today, our World is in such turmoil people are losing their homes by the minute, lives are being destroyed by the devastation of the economy and people are taking the effects to heart. Some are opting to take the express route to the Pearly Gates, not because they are scared, but because they are brave and have lost all sense of reality.
Recently, I lost a family member to the “D” word and had a mystical experience of the third kind. It included my Granny and her dear sister Dorie, whose grandchild opted to take his life. Both were grief stricken over the whole experience, but each understood the troubling events of our times that can lead to such drastic measures.
For days each tried to make sense of the occurrence, but a resolution could not be found.
It was just a terrible tragedy attributed to the sign of our times. An event that could strike any family due to our Economy’s decline.
When Depression leads a person to take their own life, that person has come to the realization that they have run out of options. Life has left them in an unfair predicament, and the only way to maintain their dignity, is to bow out gracefully, on their terms.
My Granny and her sister understand the devastation and uncomfortability my cousin felt. His perceived circumstances offered no other choices. All roads lead to one decision….an untimely death.
This experience has left my entire being in a somber mood because the world has lost a truly good human being. However, the words of my Grandmother have kept me going, because I hear her saying, “Keep a smile on your face and hold your head high.”
Although I know the older generation mean well with their pep talks and old fashioned principles, sometimes real issues require serious help. Some problems don’t go away because we want them to.
Society has got to stop crucifying people who reach out and say, “Hey! I need professional help.”
Maybe there would be more survivors telling their tales today.
In Memory of R.S.