Light Overcomes Darkness

Shubh Divali!

Today, October 23rd, 2014 we nationals of Trinidad and Tobago join with so many other nations in celebrating the Hindu festival of Divali.  Like all good Trinibagonians, it is "curry day in de house!". I did not make the time to shop for all the necessary ingredients for  the wonderful traditional dishes that include dahl, pumpkin choka, channa and potatoes, curried bodie, masala mango, pepper roti, "buss up shut" and paratha roti yet like all Trinibagonians some of the ingredients are staple in the home.  In checking the larder, I've found red lentils rather than yellow split peas for my dhal, there is lots of pumpkin  for the choka, so I can put a check mark  there.  I am aware that I have no potatoes since they are not my favourite vegetable but I do have cassava, so I'm thinking channa and cassava.  Yes...that could work.  Sacre bleu, there are no cans of channa!  So, out goes the channa and cassava idea.  "Bodie, bodie", I think as I search the refridgerator.  No bodie, bodie.  Ah hah, there is a bag of frozen green beans - good facsimile - curried bodie, you're on!  The refridgerator coughed up some corn and tomatoes so that will form a nice saffron medley.  Found "buss up shut" and paratha.  So pots are on fire and here I go!

Keep in mind that we in Trinidad and Tobago are an olio of peoples so as I begin my preparations blasting through the closed kitchen window are the sounds  of Trini Christmas music: parang, Christmas songs both soca and international traditional Christmas songs!  The neighbour higher up the hill has his speakers thumping and he is singing, off-key many a times, at what seems to be, the top of his lungs!   As I chop onions, crush garlic, skim the lentils and scrub the pumpkin skin, I softly hum "Christmas is spreading joy.  Jooooooy, it's spreading joy" along with the group H2O Phlo, I get goose pimples with Daisy Voisin's trembling voice singing "Parang, Parang" and calypsonian the Lord Kitchener belting out "Mooma, mooma...I am over here, happy in the mother country...Drink ah rum an' a punch a crema".   Ah, sometimes you must just love this country, oui!

But Divali is not only about the day off from work and the food, it is, the Hindu festival of Light so it is about bringing lightness to the body, through a period of fasting before the celebrations, and enlightment to mind.  It is a time of family and friends and while "chonkaying" the dhal, I remember Divalis past spent with friends -  I see Doon's smiling face as she kneads the softest, lightest "buss up shut", Sharon telephoning me early to tell me to hurry up and get to her house because she's already making the mangoe dish and she's putting on  "a little curry chicken to cook, because not everybody like vegetarian, Jeannelle",  and "whey you bringin?"  "No, doh bring nuttin, just bring something to drink."  Sharon's three sisters would be there along with her mother 'Ma' and an assortment of young ones.  A few friends, many of whom would be in the protective services working would pass for a quick bite and to ensure that all was well with us.  There always seemed to be enough for all and to give away too.  The ole talk would flow, the laughter would bubble, hugs and kisses would pass, left, right and centre, lots of food would be eaten and friendships would bind.  I thank God for those times and the friendships which still remain.  Some of us have passed on to greener pastures both here and with the Spirit.

Many times, Divali has meant heading to the southern part of Trinidad, Avocat Village to be exact, to share the day with my friend Rebecca, "Becky" and her extended family.  The puja (prayers) and meal would be by "Uncle" and at "Uncle's", I would be introduced to or re-connected with "cousin this" and "cousin that", all resplendently dressed in beautiful Indian-styled garb.  There was always new friends to meet...a neighbour from down Fyzo, perhaps.  Of course, I have on my shalwaar khameez and boy o' boy are all the guests shocked but "Uncle", who does not speak with me much, I would see by a bit of a nod, was well-pleased that I choose to honour his invitation by dressing the part.  I would always sit closely to the pundit so that I could hear and watch the rituals of giving thanks to God, Hindu-style.  I recall, the candle, the milk of which I would have to take a sip and the prayers for peace inwardly, for the family and for the nation.  Then someone would be encouraging Becky and I to "come, eat" on the sohari leaf - rice, dhal, mango, channa and potato, cucumber salad, tomato choka and my favourite pepper roti!  Now, I don't like pepper but I love Becky's cousin's pepper roti!  She knows how to bring out the smoky sweetness of the hot peppers - yummy.

As I chop and stir, I contemplate what this "lights" thing means to me.  How do I ensure that I become light? I begin to think of my nation and of the corruption so evident in this land and I know that in other lands, corruption also moves stealthily through. The bedrock of any nation is its people and the family and we are not treating each other with the dignity that is required.  There are fewer 'good mornings' and other greetings being heard as we pass each other, many of our children know little about manners and morality.  A silent prayer I offer, that understanding of what family is begins to show itself once more in my land; that families are joined together in happiness and joy.   Let truth, moral values and enlightenment reign.  I think of a former neighbour, shot dead yesterday.  This young man had taken a path in life that led him the wrong way.   I believe that God forgives so I ask God to  forgive him his sins and let the remaining family members know there is light after such darkness.    

For myself, I realize that I've been leading myself into darkness.  I have harbouring anger because of disrespect shown which has demoralized me to a certain extent and and despair because of goals which have not come to fruition.  I need to turn back to the light: to become the person I used to like. I forgive myself and forgive those causing me pain.  I have understood the situation and have reconciled myself to it.  It comes to me that God opens many a door, so I shan't be fearful.  Hmmn, I do indeed feel light of heart and mind almost immediately.  It is said that Hindu communities pray for material enlightenment also, which I interpret to mean being free of money worries.  Ah for the good life!  Don't we all desire to be rich or at least comfortably well off.    As I look out at the green misted hills and the grey sky filled with moisture I say Father God, Mother Lakshmi, rain down your blessings on us all.

Shubh Divali!  May the Light shine brightly upon you and yours.

Until