Community
CAYMAN BRAC ..... ChristmasesPast
Tania Drebenstedt
When you drive from Stake Bay towards WateringPlace and further down to the Creek and North East Bay down toSpot Bay, you will pass the most romantic Caymanian Cottages.Galiantly protected by the towering bluff, inviting a relaxingview of the azure ocean, lush foliage lining the yards, palm treesswaying in a gentle breeze, some cottages are shadowed by enormousguinep trees.
As I sat down with the descendants of these proud Brac pioneers,I was told of the Brac of yesteryear. This part of the Brac richin history, was told to me by Ruby Tibbetts, nee Yap.
When she was a child, they used to look forward to Christmas withhidden anticipation. The Carter Department Store at the Creekwas filled with great gift items, lots and lots of sweets andsome toys. They had an ice cream parlour at Carters selling home-madeice cream. These treats were the ultimate, even at today's standard.Adolphos Carter rebuilt the store, after his first store had beendestroyed by the 1932 hurricane.
A few times a year, the tables and chairs were moved out of theice cream parlour, and, as the exquisite band started to play,the dancing went into full swing.
Miss Ruby did not dance, but loved watching the merriment ). Whatshe remembers mostly is, HOW HAPPY everybody always was, not justaround Christmas time. A unique fellowship of belonging was evidentat all times.
Another precious load was being delivered to Mr. Taylor Foster'sGrocery and Dry Goods Store. The shop also offered hardware items,located at North East Bay, and to his Branch store at the Creek.At Christmas time, to stop from the daily grind, to get a glimpseof what was available made each day seem shorter and
more rewarding.
Mr. Taylor Foster was also a Deacon at Ebernezer Baptist Churchat the Creek. However, he filled the position as Pastor for manyyears.
The life's journey of these great people was more than a passingthrough a new territory; they left a brand of everlasting symbols,of traditions and family quality.
To prepare for Christmas, the yards all over the Island were sweptwithROSEMARY brooms. Ruby told me that her mother, Miss Ellen (Yap,nee Scott), measured each stroke with precision. The Yard 'had'to be perfect...anticipating the holidays.
Miss Ellen, now 91 years, remembers those early days with a melancholicpride, their home offered a tower of strength to the family. MissRuby's grandfather, Gordon Scott, farmed up on the bluff, using" the ladder" built for the purpose of "easy"access to the top of the bluff, to reach the cisterns to bringwater to the herds of cows grazing up there....hard times...butoh...what happy times.
In those days, they also called that part of North East Bay 'BigChannel Bluff'.
All over the Island, women were cooking and baking. The scentof spices and Christmas fruit cakes filling the air. Beef wasslaughtered for these special family Christmas dinners, but onthe Brac the "warmth of Christmas and of sharing" wasalways prevalent.
You have to learn about the Bracker's soul to understand theirdepths of inner strength, not just as an everlasting symbol ofChristmas spirit and feelings, but these days of yesteryear, offerthe BRAC of today to the world as "the Gem of the CaymanIslands".
My husband and I feel privileged to be called 'special friends'by Davalee and Ruby; that they shared with us 'yesterdays' CaymanBrac spirit of Christmas, and now, in the Year 2000, invite usto an inspirational Church service, where Mr.Davalee will preachat the Church of God Holiness, at Watering Place.
We knew it would be a heart-warming service. Mr. Davalee comesover to the Brac often, to worship with the Brac parishioners.Guitars were tuned, and the most beautiful seasoned male voicesang the song: 'I am not dancing for the Devil anymore'. The voicewas slightly shaking, not because of age, but enjoying the emotionof a true believer. I later found out that this remarkable voicebelonged to Mr. Kenneth Bodden.
The Christmas spirit will stay with us wherever we shall be. Howrewarding our life has become since we have found the 'Light ofPeace' on an Island called 'THE BRAC'.