Me & the Commonwealth An Independence Story!

Being born at the dawn of an independent Bahamas, I have had the unique experience as I and my country of birth have meandered this journey, we call life in an almost symbiotic relationship that at time drifts carelessly and at others, sprints with an intentional cadence.

Unlike most Bahamians, whether living within the 700 islands of our archipelagic chain or abroad as I do now, my birth and some would say my very existence mirrors the journey of the Commonwealth from her auspicious birth on Clifford Park July 1973. 

You see, I was born and raised in Chippingham a quaint fruit tree-lined neighborhood just east of downtown Nassau and a mere stone throw from Clifford Park. Nassau of the 1970s was a special place indeed. My earliest memories are of my Grammy and the ladies of her generation who were one-part old world charm and manners, two teaspoons of humor and just enough resourcefulness to make culinary delights out of overripe fruit and flour. In stark contrast, my Grandfather and his ‘ technicolor big fish’ story swapping friends, were men not to be played with and I was careful not to talk back too.

Growing up in a parallel universe to the Commonwealth, I experienced both old world values intermingled with the promise of a bright future. In my world, the ladies balanced purses that held mints and embroidered Irish hankies with fortitude and the men were stylishly sophisticated in multifaceted ties and shiny shoes as they whisked off for the hustle and bustle of private homes, our new international airport and Bay Street with its offshore banks, law firms, exotic boutiques and resorts all with the faint scent of Youth Dew and Chanel and Old Spice in tow. Whether they were fueling the birth of our new nation as young professionals entering the workforce with newly earned UK, Canadian and American degrees in hand, or were seasoned citizens having toiled and mastered the protocols of civil service, culinary, masonry, horticultural and agricultural disciplines of the day, never the less, they made my life sublime.

Being raised in the 1970s when Nassau was becoming the jewel of the region was an exciting time and bringing amazing and eternal life lessons. The ladies of my youth, whether they were wearing the uniforms of housekeepers, downtown pencils skirts and hosiery or a well-worn sundress, taught me that is always important to look one’s best to face the world. Likewise, my father and favorite uncles taught me the importance of owning my voice and that it's cool, to just be me! Now I know that my journey is possible given all they poured and spoke into my life and had it not been for the countless prayers and preparation, the life I have today and the life not yet realized. would still be the dream of a little girl from Chippingham.

Family lore tells that while my mother sat on the porch waiting with bated breath for the first fireworks indicating the Union Jack was being lowered late on July 9th, 1973, I a mere infant was fast asleep on my Grammy’s chenille spread. A year later when I was walking and able to associate a few words, it is said that I was a delight when I coined the phrase ” Independence boom boom boom”, my 1-year old assessment of fireworks.

I recall my Grammy recounting how she buried my navel chord in the center of her Chippingham yard under a sapodilla tree, as she had for others of my generation. Back then, I thought it was a thing that old folks did ‘ back in the day’.

Today, I am of the belief that this simple act was her way of tying me to the country of my birth and even making sure that I and the Commonwealth would share a joint legacy for a lifetime. As my life unfolds, I have come to see that many of the beliefs of my ancestors, not only make sense today but seem to be an essential component of my evolving self.

As the Commonwealth celebrates another milestone, so too am I celebrating the survival of the many twists and turns of life. And as a ‘lady of a certain age’, I can attest that just like the Commonwealth, I am wiser having learned a thing or two from missteps, quite fond of the finer things of life, have a greater appreciation for those who stand with me in the midst of life’s challenges, know when to speak up, am not afraid to love hard and know what and whom to let go of.

My life has forever been colored by the values instilled from the hardworking, fish seasoning, joke telling, hurricane shutter hanging, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, praying as life depended it on men and women of Chippingham and indeed, the entire Commonwealth.

When the Union Jack was lowered and the Commonwealth was born, so to was a seed of faith born into a little girl from Chippingham, who still dreams of all that life has to offer and is duty bound to show ‘the world the manner of my bearing’! ‘

Having witnessed the birth of a nation as a baby, and countless sunrises and sunsets over the years, I have come to expect amazing things in my life and as such, I wonder what is next in the journey of my beloved Commonwealth and mine!

Today as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas celebrates the anniversary of Independence, I am proud of to be Bahamian and even prouder of the gifts and talents that my generation has and continues to gift to the world.

I encourage all Bahamians, to continue being our authentic selves and above all declare, Its Better in the Bahamas!

March On Bahamaland!