Gogouyave.com's Forum
This story about Miss Vero gives added confirmation to one of the things mentioned in A PLACE CALLED GOUYAVE.
As Miss Vero and the other names you mentioned were customers of my mother's shop, chances were that I would have known what work she did. But as kids growing up back then, we were hardly concerned about adult things that were not our concern. I knew that Althea(?), David and Doh Laff would be at home by themselves, but it never occurred to me that Miss Vero was trading in Carriacou during those times until your story told me.
And imagine how surprised I am to learn that Erva, Delcie, Henry and Paul's mom, Miss Lucille was your aunt.
Just as I said in A PLACE CALLLED GOUYAVE, we kids were primarily concerned with our friends like Doh Laff, David and others joining us to play football, pitch marbles, fly kites on Brickie, and having fun times swimming in Benago. What we knew about what the adults did, we knew; but what we didn't know, never bothered us one bit. Our focus was on the excitement and enjoyment of youthful friendships!!
Btw, if you did not identify her, I would still be wondering who on earth was this "devoted trafficker lady" whose neighbors included Miss Ethel, Miss Rita etc.
"A Place Called Gouyave" is a well written book. It documented the days in Gouyave, when everyday was made up of conscientious times. The young and the old folks were delighted to keep having some of the best fun times high above the ground. The sports we played knew no barrier ; anyone could've happily joined in the playing of it, and made it more enjoyable with laughter. Losing in the game was even a well understandable matter.
There were no physical fights, nor uncalled for quarrels from the losers in the game. We simply went home, with our tails tucked between our legs, and hoped to return stronger the next day. "A Place Called Gouyave" shared that memory well to those of us, who've lived through those remarkable days!
Yes. Miss Vero was a the kind of woman, who enjoyed riding on the vessels like Starlight, Radiant B, and Miriam B. Those vessels were the vessels doing tarde, between Grenada and Carriacou. Miss Vero was the only one from Gouyave that I remember as a trafficker between these two islands. When she wasn't in Carriacou, she spent her time sitting down mostly in her outdoor kitchen with her young adopted daughter, Vero, from the district of Central. This young girl, Vero, was the daughter of Althea McPhie. Althea was the daughterof Miss Marie, mother of Raymond, Canut, Lima, and, Alister McPhie's, aka, "My Bone, (RIP) mom, Miss Leah, and Glennis McPhie. Miss Vero had loved sharing stories about Carriacou with almost every child.
I have never heard about Althea, Miss Vero daughter. Like you, I am surprised to learn that she had more than one child. At the same time, I am happy to know that!
If there's anything to enhance the past images of Gouyave, it couldn't be less than telling her stories of the past. There are many things about Gouyave that is worth a million. It could only come out of the dark shadows in light, by storytelling, which is one of the most aastounding places to start off with it.
Surprised! I bet you were. Other are surprised as well.
Lucille was my mother, Miss Emelda, from Mongo Road last sister. Out of Lucille's children, Erva is the only one I can't remember. TThat's because Erva migrated to The United Kingdom, long before I'd gotten to know myself. But, her name was mentioned in my home frequently. Maybe one good day, I'll get to cast my eyes on her, and see just how beautiful a first cousin of mind is.
