Jamaica

My Granny did not celebrate Chistmas by giving presents but she did celebrate the birth of our Lord. She believed that people should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Therefore, Prize Giving Days were very special for myself and Granny.

In Jamaica, most schools honored their A students by hosting a big soirée filled with pomp and circumstance. Granny was always the proud grandparent of her grandchildren's accomplishments. She would always say, "I have plenty of grandchildren, and not one of them is an idiot. They all can do anything there mind is set on."

"If any of my grandchildren act foolish is other people trying to turn them into blithering nincompoops."

As usual Granny was always right, I was the student who would appear to be sauntering through life having a good time. However when it came to settling down and putting my brain molecules to the test. I usually left the other students in the dust. As a child, I was as competitive as they came academically. I usually achieved 1st or 2nd place in my class and if I was having a really hectic week I managed to come in at a cool 3rd place.

This contest of the minds gave my Granny bragging rights. She told anybody that would listen about her granddaughter who was going for "Mensa" gold and who was trying to take over the Spelling Bee championship. If Granny knew I had tests, she would pray and fast just to make sure that I got a good grade. I used to wake up at 3:00 a.m. in the morning to study because Granny always said that the mind is more receptive at that time. She also mentioned that if you wanted to retain your knowledge, sleep with your schoolbooks and you'll ace any exams.

Therefore, after giving all her wonderful advice and finding out that I had more than surpassed her expectations. Granny was always elated to know that I would be recognized at Prize Giving Day. To Granny, it was like getting the seal of approval from Albert Einstein.

For Prize Giving Day everyone had to adhere to a strict dress code. It consisted of wearing a white dress, with crisp white ribbons and gloves, with white shoes and socks. The boys had to wear suits. It was a celebration of talent, not just mental but artistic as well. As students of academic excellence we were expected to exhibit our artistic talents by singing, dancing or reciting verses. So my Grandmother took this as an opportunity to dress me as if I were going to marry the award I was receiving.

Days before the event Granny visited almost every seamstress in Jamaica with her several yards of white chiffon to make the most elegant dress for the occasion. Then she would search all over Kingston for the most unusual crisp white ribbons she could find. These were her presents for me doing such a good job with my school work.

I must admit that her attention to every detail of my ensemble did give me a sense of confidence to accept my prize with glee. However, that feeling usually lasted for about a second. Because once the festivities got on the way, my heart usually started pounding really fast and I would feel tongue-tied.

Backstage I would often whisper to Granny, "I hope I don't trip on myself."

Then she would respond, "Well, so what if you do? Just get right back up, and strut as stocious as ever, accept your prize and flash a big smile."

"Easy for you to say Granny, you're not the one on the spot here."

"Mags, when you look out at the audience just pretend that all these people are sitting on their "thrones" and everything will seem relative."

You know, the moments before one prepares to accept an award can be hell. You imagine yourself creating a national disaster, you see your whole life flashing in front of you and then the time comes. Then, you wade through the process like a seasoned professional and afterwards you imagine that you probably had an out of body experience because that was an impossible task completed by you.

Usually Granny was always at the end of the platform waiting with cheers, flowers and tons of blessings. Then she would coyly say, "See, you didn't create any excitement.Your shoe heel didn't fall off, you didn't break up the stage and you didn't come away with the presenter's hand. So there, it was a good day!"

Since Granny put it in those terms, I was satisfied knowing that I pulled off the task of seeming to appear poised while my mind was waging a confidence battle. After the night was over and I reveled in my accolades I realized that being the best came with other issues as well. My mind was temporarily eased knowing that my day was done and I had received recognition for my hard work. But, there was always the next year when I would have to reach for a bigger and more rewarding goals. The mere thought of another Prize Giving Day made me tremble in my knees. The funny thing is, I kept reaping the awards for several years after.

Granny always used to say, "With God anything is possible. He takes the most difficult task and makes it very easy."