A Green piece of Land making Joseph’s life EVERGREEN!

I was sitting in the flight at the early hour of 4:30 am.

‘The flight from Orlando to New York will be taking off in 5 minutes…….’ announced the air-hostess in her sharp voice.

I turned to the guy beside me who was enjoying, the view from his window; I guess he could read the envy on my face! He was an average sized, dark skin old guy with curly hairs and spectacles.

I was curious, so I introduced myself and asked, ‘Hey, are you here on vacation?’

‘Hey, I am Joseph, Yes I am, I have a home in Tampa, but I stay in New York.’

I asked him, ‘Are you alone?’

He replied, ‘My wife is a nurse in a Hospital in the City and my two daughters and a son are all married and settled.’

‘Where do you work?’ I asked him.

He smiled and said, ‘I did my basic engineering course from Jamaica. I came to USA in 1962, worked at different places. Now am working in an engineering department of New York City Hospital.’

I wondered and asked, ‘Who looks after your home in Tampa?’

He replied, ‘You know, I actually have my own land in Tampa, where I do farming.’

I said, ‘It’s interesting Joseph. What do you cultivate?’

He replied, ‘I love Jamaica and I try to plant the crops over there. I have different kinds of spices cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, star anise…so on. I do visit here every 2-3 months.’

I said, ‘They are the same spices, we all Indians use for seasoning our food.’

I could see the satisfaction and reflection of self-achievement in his eyes. I asked him, ‘Do you have a day- off at work today?’

He smiled and said, ‘I have night-shift today, so when I will reach home at 9 a.m. I will cook for myself and my wife; she will come after her night-shift in afternoon. Then I will sleep and leave, for work at 7 p.m.’

I was amazed to see his enthusiasm and perseverance. Since there was hardly any time left for the flight to land in New York. I thought we should take a nap.

When we woke up, the sun was peeping through the window surpassing the blue skies, floating around like a welcome ring.

I bid goodbye to Joseph. My mind could visualize his farm with green, beautiful plants spreading the tantalizing aroma of spices! Everyone needs a place where one can find solace and satisfaction. Though you stay far off from your homeland, you can never forget your roots, the seeds of which are sowed deep in your heart and so you try to create your own small world in the space available to you.