“We were like nomads moving from one place to the other. We even bathed with water from the cistern to keep the water bill low.”
The years were passing by and we were settling into our new country learning to speak Papiamentu. Until one day in 1964 a terrible accident occurred when mamá was at home cooking on a kerosene stove. We couldn’t afford a gas stove, so that’s why mama cooked on a one-burner kerosene stove. One day things went wrong when a fire broke out in the kitchen. It was such a huge fire that mamá had to be taken to hospital for severe burns of her lower legs and feet. She spent several weeks in hospital, and some helpful neighbors and people from the church helped daddy take care of us.
the boys & girls
George & Mariano
As the years went by, daddy gradually made some improvements on the house by placing new kitchen cabinets, windows, and a lick of paint on the inside and outside. The property was owned by Jews.
daddy & mamá
| Daddy paid the rent by playing for Sabbath services in the synagogue on Friday evening and Saturday morning. He was paid to play the organ and the rent was deducted from his salary. When he couldn’t attend, my younger brother, George, would go and play instead. George was extremely gifted and learned to play the piano at an early age. In elementary school he also performed above average, and even skipped grades. Unlike the rest of us, he had very light or white skin, like grandfather Joseph, daddy’s father. Mamá said George’s complexion looked well among the Jews. |
From “Go Ahead, You’re Home” – The Caribbean Dream with Grit & Guts
A true and poignant story of forgiveness, hope and love. Mountain-moving faith with a burning desire determined to succeed.