The saying, "Home is where the heart is" surely applies to Accompong Town as the things that alternately sadden and gladden my heart happen here. The elation I felt when Linston drove me through town on the day of my return home was quickly replaced by a deep sadness when I learned of two old friends passing while I was away. And, just last week, a neighbor I have known for twenty some years passed from injuries sustatined in a head-on Route Taxi accident near Cave Valley.
Loss of life sadness is a relatively new emotion for me as I can only remember a couple of times in my younger years feeling a deep sadness at someone's passing. What snapped me out of the low feelings was the unexpected visit by another neighbor, Bah Wood, bringing me two hands of ripe bananas this morning. A simple but honest gesture of friendship and family.
I am feeling excited as this week an old and dear friend, Mary, is coming to Jamaica for a couple of weeks. Mary and I have been best of friends for over 40 years and I haven't seen her since her last visit here a couple of years ago. We have traveled together around Jamaica several times over the past 15 years or so. We will be spending some time here at the house before returning to Negril for the final week of her visit.
I am really looking forward to visiting with her. There are just somethings that only old friends can share about the past that new friends will never understand.
