Giving up Was Too Easy

By Lorretta Henry Grant

This book depicts synopsis of the many episodes of the life and experiences of Lorretta Henry Grant. It captures the dramatic aspects of my life, which affect people from time to time. It starts with childhood experience in a very rural community. It highlights many of my travelling experiences, travelling being my passion. Many overwhelming experiences and challenges of marriage are revealed. This book indicates my strength of character and shows that with Gods help, all things are possible. It is hoped that readers will be inspired to never give up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490762067

Lorretta Henry Grant

Lorretta Henry/Lorretta Henry Williams/Lorretta Henry Grant wife of Rev. Dr. Robin Laurence Fitz-Thomas Grant was born at Barry Road, Springfield, Welcome Hall, St. James, Jamaica, and attended St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College, Jamaica; Central Connecticut State University, USA; and University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She is an educator who taught at Allman Town Infant School; Sligoville Primary School; Oberlin High school; Passley Gardens Teachers’ College and St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College, all in Jamaica; St Cecilia’s Infant School, Nassau, Bahamas. She was also an Insurance Agent at Sagicor/Life of Jamaica Limited. She is a member of Mona Baptist Church in Papine.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Childhood Experience

I was born and bred at Barry Road, Springfield, Welcome Hall, Saint James, Jamaica. I grew up in a deep rural community with ten siblings, namely Dor, Mavis, Leon, Virgil, Philip, Vie, Winston, Eda, Sonia, and Melody. A stalwart of a mother named Miss Essie and a dedicated father named Mass Stanford led our family. We grew up very poor and spent our youth sleeping on mattress made out of banana leaves, sleeping on the floor, and carrying water from Barry (a spring). I had to carry farm crops, like sugar cane and banana, on my head with a Catta up Long Hill (a very steep hill).

My position among my siblings is fourth from the eldest. Growing up, I could be described as a shy, hardworking, energetic, bright, studious, and ambitious little Christian girl. (I still am now though already with an ocean of maturity). I walked to school barefooted up to age fifteen. What I would actually do is hide my one pair of red church shoes and wore them only in school. On every exercise book cover, I had inscribed: Ambition is the gas of life, step on it. And didn’t I step on it? I was determined to do well at school so that I could move out of my poverty-stricken situation and be a great woman in life.

We were then happy children who played with our neighbours night and day. Stopping from church was not an option. We all went to Sunday school and church every Sunday morning. We missed school once a year for about two days as we carried the sugar cane produced by Papa.Early to bed and early to rise was Mama’s motto, and we had to abide by this rule. We would go to the bush in early mornings to milk goats and cows, reap fruits of all sorts, and best of all for me, to eat sugar cane before I reach home. (No wonder I still love sugar cane the way I do.) After doing our early morning chores, we would walk our usual two miles to Springfield Elementary School. I was never late for school. (No wonder I am still as punctual as I am.) I don’t believe in the concept of Jamaican time.

CHAPTER 2

Pursuit of Knowledge

I did step on ambition, the gas of life and managed to successfully complete my Primary school education, after which, I sat and passed the first, second, and third Jamaica local examinations by the time I was twenty years of age.

I then went on to St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College where I pursued a certificate in teacher education. Since I was unstoppable, I migrated to United States and attended the Central Connecticut State University where I read for a bachelor of science degree in general elementary education and a master of science degree in reading and language arts.

I was propelled to continue studying; hence, I went on to the University of the West Indies to read for a PhD in literacy studies. I did all the required courses but had to take a break while I was doing the thesis, as I had to care for Robin, my sick husband. Technically, I am still on study leave as I did not officially inform the university that I was unable to finish. I smile as I still get communication from the University of the West Indies as a graduate student. These things only happen to people like me.

Being the go-getter that I am, I realized at a fairly early stage in life that teaching was not going to provide me with the money I needed to do the basic things of life, such as traveling and buying a house. I therefore left teaching in 1989 to pursue studies in life insurance.

I did ordinary long-term insurance and all the other insurance subjects that properly equipped me to be a good insurance agent/financial manager. That included studying for Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU).

On January 1, with head high, chest jutted forward, I slowly entered the brightly lit conference room. Well dressed in a perfectly fitting, one-of-a-kind suit, hair short and in well coiffure style, medium lips enhanced with the new raved red lipstick, I made my debut at Life of Jamaica Insurance Company, Trafalgar branch. This was the memorable arrival of me, Lorretta, a confident, phenomenal woman, looking like a Caribbean royalty. A plethora of faces gazed then transfixed at me, the new arrival. All chattering stopped. I commanded attention without uttering a word.

Pleasant good morning, I uttered with a smile. The meeting was five minutes in progress when I, Lorretta, made my grand entrance, making my way to the front of the room to sit on an empty chair. Sitting with flair and poise caused Herma to give me the name Princess Danisha, which was later shortened to Princess.

After the introduction and meeting ended, Herma and I started talking and quizzing each other. We both had similar teaching background. We gravitated to each other and since then became the best of friends. I am an avid English literature educator. This background is ingrained in me—this determined person who seems to transform every situation in life with coordinated dramatization. Meeting my new crew of life insurance sales agents reminded me of my students.

I am indeed a charismatic person, and I took the decision that I would transform sales to amass wealth in my game plan. I never take no from a client without thoroughly explaining the service I was offering. Based on this premise, I was very successful in my sales approach which paid off well for me. I could purchase whatever I desire without reservation. Purchasing a car was no different. I left the office in a Lada car one bright sunny morning and returned later with a brand new Rover which I still have. I showed off my newly acquired purchase with flair and my usual drama.

We have to be careful that we don’t underestimate people. One day, a travelling lady jeweller visited the branch with thousands of dollars worth in her wares. I asked to see one of the most beautiful pieces—the most expensive of the lot. The jeweller looked at me and decided that it was too expensive for me and proceeded to show me a far less expensive piece. I was so upset I thought I would have a stroke. What the jeweller did not know was that I had the money to purchase all the jewellery that was on display. I had earned the title of agent of the month and was a member of the prestigious Million-Dollar Round Table, Court of the Table, and a Century Club member, and among LOJ’s top sales agents. The jeweller lost the sale, and I looked at her, laughed, and walked away after informing her of my ability to pay cash for the necklace.

My love for drama gave me the courage to enter the Miss Life of Jamaica contest shortly after joining the company. My talent presentation was the poem titled If— penned in 1895 by British Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling. My dramatization and rendition of the poem was well received by the large crowd of associates, families, and friends. Although I did not win the title, I captured the