Grow Your Wings, Fly Away and Build Your Nest: How I Grew My Wings

By John Jakasal

Grenadian Experience Shines Like a Caribbean Jewel in this Book of Personal History

John Jakasal poetically presents the soul of Grenada and how it can survive and prosper as world renowned Isle of Spice with his life as an example.

USA, The Caribbean & Globally Grenadian writer and author John Jakasal weaves the cobweb that hides two paths in life in the eminently readable memoir Grow Your Wings, Fly Away And Build Your Nest. Sharing his family background and life story, he spins illuminating connections to Grenadian history through the colonial phase and compares it to the modern, complex fruit of that history to rekindle the islands spicy reputation and agricultural foundation that has seemingly lost its colors diminished by the annual hurricanes. He discusses what it means to be a Grenadian American as chief Technologist, Professor in the school of Radiology Technology and Clinical Instructor. His kind finds itself readily accepted in New York City, a place known for its homogenous international culture. His story may be unusual to many, but it is given serious consideration in this eye-opening memoir of a young man from humble beginnings who worked hard, left his parents home, never forgetting from where he came, became independent, owes not a single man, and now comfortably retired.

Author John Jakasals textual path dances on the light of his spiders web, and the dance of the spider as he weaves a vision of home, of a place to live and make a living in an agricultural safety net. Yet the delicate nature of Grenadas present is also present in the proceedings. The spiders web is a delicate, gossamer beauty and it is Jakasals brilliant poetic view of his mother island; little Grenada swamped by waves modernism and highwood.

In Jakasal, as well as in the strong moral heart of his book, lie all things Grenadian: The island beauty and its blessed clime, the physical points of national identity that are still remarkably untouched despite the onslaught of modernity. This is further refined into an appreciation of how America is a place of opportunity for anyone willing. A place where a Grenadians native qualities can shine. Jakasal gives readers the taste of native Grenadian stew in this work, and it is an experience both filling and a taste everyone of his readers will remember with an appreciation of the nation and the people that made it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479725144

John Jakasal

TO FOLLOW

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by John Jakasal.

Second Edition—2014

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Cover and interior Illustration by John Jakasal.

Rev. Date: 04/15/2014

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Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Disclaimer

Chapter 1

Orientation And Family History

Chapter 2

History And Colonialism

Chapter 3

Cultural Heritage And Livelihood

Chapter 4

Resources And Economic Effects

Chapter 5

Family Background, Childhood,

And School Days

Chapter 6

Early Life Lessons From Nature

Chapter 7

Chores, Apprenticeship, And Work

(Before And After School)

Chapter 8

Migration To The United States Of America

Chapter 9

American Experiences And Achievements

Chapter 10

Building My Own Family’s Nest

Chapter 11

Health, Retirement, And Travel

Chapter 12

A Grandfather At Last

Conclusion

About The Author

Preface

The analogy Grow Your Wings, Fly Away, and Build Your Nest is written for the purpose of sending a positive message to the young adults. It is intended to point a way to encourage young adults to become independent and prevent elder abuse. Parents and teachers will do all they can to nurture children at a young age and raise them to the best of their ability so that when the time is right, they may start the process of making a family of their own and, in turn, teach their children to do the same. Parents should also know when the time is right to let go of their children so that they can leave home, build a nest of their own, and become independent and self-sufficient.

This book is a true story about a young man who was brought up from humble beginnings during colonialism. He learned a vital lesson from nature as he observed the little tsetse birds build their nest and have their young. There was no electricity, and since the whale oil-fueled lamp had to be used inside the house until 9:00 p.m. only, he took advantage of the light of the sunset to study. While sitting on the front steps of his parents’ home doing his homework, he saw the hatchlings grow their wings and fly away to build a nest of their own. A valuable lesson was learned more precious than wealth or renown. This poor little barefoot boy seen on the front cover of this book left his home in Grenada and moved to the United States at an early age, worked hard, and became a successful radiology professional, whose fantastic journey is depicted on the back cover of this book. He is John Jakasal, the author of this book.

He tracked down the historical background and ancestry of his family with the use of the Internet. When he searched the Internet for indentured servants, this young man found out that he was of a mixed cultural heritage because of European, Indian, Irish, and Scottish servitude in the Caribbean when the slave trade from Africa came to an end with the Carib Indians who were originally from the Americas.

Much gratitude is given to my parents, teachers, and elders for their firm discipline in my upbringing. I am proud to have stood upon the shoulders of these giants and, in giving back, my intention is to share my experiences and to send a message to everyone everywhere that despite the turmoil of life, anyone can be successful with determination.

Just as God teaches little birds and creatures in nature to grow wings, fly away, and build a nest of their own, so must parents, teachers, and elders teach, correct, and discipline (not abuse) children at an early age to become strong, upright, and independent citizens and, in turn, make family life well worth living.

Acknowledgments

This book is dedicated to my parents and grandparents for the wisdom and life lesson they taught me based on my encounter with a bird, which gave me a positive direction in life (detailed in chapter 6), to my children and grandchildren, my brothers and sisters, and all my friends and acquaintances at home and around the world. The twelve chapters in this book are a commemoration to the family core of my parents and ten children.

This book is written for the purpose of opening the eyes of parents so that they could teach and set examples for their children to be independent and for children to stop taking their parents for granted, especially those who still depend on their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, in-laws, neighbors, friends, and extended families even after they grow up. It is really meant to change and enrich the lives of parents and young adults in every corner of the earth in a positive way. My intention is to share a lesson I learned from the humble creatures in nature that we so often take for granted. My main goal is to nurture young people, cultivate dreams, open doors, and create boundless opportunities to improve lives.

Anyone can apply the simple lifestyle and behavior of little creatures in nature to their everyday life, as I have, in order to achieve firm growth, strength, and stability and to learn to get up and get. Other lessons can also be learned from The Brook, a poem by Tennyson, with its never-ending journey through the life and times of man; Be Kind, a poem that could help prevent family abuse; and Persevere, which is about how to succeed. These two poems are both by unknown poets from the Royal Readers books we used in school during British colonization.

Disclaimer

The author writes this book with the intention of improving the quality of life of all, especially the young Caribbean people. The use of any quotations and statements by any writer, poet, distributor, or publisher in this book are used strictly from memory, stories, and information handed down through generations, present-day family members, and some research. It is not intended to impinge upon or violate any copyright act or notice.

The author and publisher will not be held responsible to any person or group for any emotional damage, whether directly or indirectly, by the information in this book. The author does not claim to be a mental health advocate; therefore, readers are advised to utilize these writings carefully, effectively, wisely, and safely to enhance life with independence for their own benefit.

The use of nicknames in this book is not intended to change, intimidate, or disqualify a person’s true identity. (Most people in the West Indies use a nickname. To locate someone using a Christian name may be a little difficult.) Henceforth, after the use of a formal name, nee may be used before the nickname for clarification to readers who are not familiar with this custom. For example, Mr. Movin was known as nee Coco Mina. Moreover, no disrespect is intended to any cultural customs, livelihood, expressions, and the various accents among the Caribbean Islands, acquired or otherwise.

Chapter 1

ORIENTATION AND FAMILY HISTORY

Orientation

Growing up as a child, I heard the voices of wisdom from my parents, teachers, and elders, but I did not listen until later on in life when I became independent and had to figure things out by myself. As children, we memorized poems and other meaningful lessons in life, but we just rambled through them just to pass an exam and to please our teachers and elders. We were taught that patience is a virtue, hard work leads to success, hard work is strength, forgiveness is love, deceit is hate, humility is greatness, honesty is trust, togetherness is unity, and what we sow we reap. While growing up in Grenada, I was dependent on the resources of my parents and the close-knit family for everything until I migrated to the Unites States of America at age twenty and had to be independent. I became aware of the full responsibilities of my dear poor parents, and those lessons learned from my childhood kicked into gear as I began to see the real meaning of responsibilities.

Using those resources of long ago, I began to realize my dreams in this great land of opportunities, and it is my sincere hope to encourage individuals to build character and achieve their independence using my lifelong experience as only one idea in making choices in the course of life. I would like to empower and challenge everyone to take the opportunity in building the morals of the young and elderly to become independent and do better in life. I know each of you can just by simply trying. Remember that in order to climb to the top, whether a hill or a ladder, we must start with the first step or first round. With my analogy of the cobweb that hides two paths in life, I am committed to make a difference so that parents and children may choose the better path and let go when the time is right to avoid the abuse of each other. Ponder this analogy wisely: We must first crawl before we walk and plan for the evening of life when we may need a cane for support to be self-sufficient or be back on four again, this time on a wheelchair to make family life well worth living. Plan early for your future.

Long ago, we often heard old people say, Time now, not time like beforetime. Time changed, and when the little pig asked the mama pig, Mama, why is your mouth so long? the mama pig answered, Come you coming. We found it strange at the time, but what they said made good sense. Times have changed not only in the Caribbean but also around the world. It’s evident in culture, attitude, and behavior, which have influenced the global structure and shape of present-day economy and lifestyle, down to the poop-scoop rule with dogs. I would like to do something every day to try and change what’s negative to positive without fear or surprise and to show that hard work is rewarding.

For example, when the annual hurricanes destroy and change the shape of the vital Spice Island resources and agricultural plantations in Grenada, the basic means of our cultural economy and livelihood, little or no action is taken for repair or recultivation. Everywhere much of the land lay in waste with bush and vine-covered high wood. The young generation with little education refuses to work the land (e.g., to use a cutlass, fork, or hoe to plant some local food), saying they are above that. I hope that this negative mind-set will be changed to positively fix the problem that they might give, rather than take, from their poor old folks at home. It is said that you make your children but you don’t make their minds is a true adage.

These observations are personally viewed as cultural negligence and elder abuse. In this book, I hope to open the eyes of the younger generation so that they may see and understand how important it is to do positive things in their country in order to procure the proud cultural heritage that their forefathers slaved, labored, lived, and died for instead of rioting and killing. Good leaders can get their citizens to start with the satiric values, effect reform, and enhance the economy with local resources (be it cultivation or mining for gold, silver, oil, etc.) to become self-sufficient, to become independent without greed, and to realize that restoration comes from the people, all of which is for the good life of everyone everywhere in the world and to make each home a paradise.

Based upon an experience I personally encountered as a child from humble beginnings, I