I am a nature Island girl who grew up in the North-West Town near the seaside. There the impressive twin peaks of Historic Fort Shirley stood majestically over the bay as a strong reminder of the days when protecting the area was her sole duty. In the evenings, the orange ball that had roamed the sky all day long, dipped gently beneath the horizon as I stood either atop the hill near my home or out in the road by the stand-pipe. Of course then, as awestruck as I was by her sheer beauty, I could not savour the moments for too long. To do that would risk being disciplined for being outside sunset had passed. Then, the sunset represented that time when little girls should make their way inside have their bath and wait for supper, then relax with siblings telling stories, or playing a game.
There were exceptions of course, when, as a teen, provisions were made to finish watching the football matches, even as the sun bade us farewell for the day. But the understanding was that heading home was priority especially if that night were one to attend Church Services or prepare for the Sunday Services the following day. And then, those two days of Carnival in February or March, sunsets were actually spent at Fort Shirley praying and being away from those Celebration Days. In those days my Sunset stories seemed to represent periods of getting away and preparation for quiet reflective times.
When I migrated to the Little Bit of Paradise, sunsets were equally beautiful and my love for them failed to relinquish. The Nature Girl in me still found them a complete beauty but for many years though, I thought of them as an end to a time period, the mark for rest, repose and shutting down of strenuous activities and stressful moments. My Sunset stories were closing off sessions to settle in.
As I grew older, the sunsets seemed to beckon more to me and I was very much drawn into their sphere. I am now completely enamoured by sunsets and relish them as moments of calm and tranquillity as well as amazingly captivating aspects of God’s creation. My Sunset stories are peaceful time setters for both relaxing spaces and offering praise to my God for his awesome power and great handiwork.
As I reflect on my Sunset stories during those phases of my own life I realise some poignant similarities. Sunsets were really a closing off of an era, when one took time to transition into a space of quiet calm, reflection void of boisterous movements.
Like the physical sunsets I experienced, it must be noted that people everywhere have Sunset stories too. These stories can represent emotional and mental images of situations, events and thought processes. They can be time periods where many of us either sit in awe and drink in the splendour of an event in our life with wishful thinking that it’s going to last, knowing fully well that it is coming to an end. We also have those sunset moments when we are totally caught up with a situation because of the thrill it offers us but which we are obligated to give up or rush away from because of other commitments that demand our attention. And of course there are those crucial times when we know that as enticing as a thought is, it cannot be retained since space must be made for repose in order not to risk being overwhelmed.
Sunset stories may also be reminders that when one aspect of our life comes to an end, when a relationship ends, when a partnership folds in when a loved one dies, when a goodbye is uttered, when something warm appears to have died, even when wax melts, a new rising occurs in another sphere. I myself have always thought that Sunsets give way to beautiful sunrises and must be embraced.
So when I stood on that hill as a girl in my beautiful Nature Isle, knowing I needed to get inside shortly, I enjoyed that splendour of that sunset I saw. When I knew I had to rush home from viewing that Football Match to prepare for “Service,” the sunset was still beautiful. And, And when in Little Paradise, I initially focused on my rest and relaxation, the sunset was still beautiful. While I still revel in its utter splendour, it remains a grand sight to behold. I am comforted that another day is awaiting.
Similarly, you must know that your situation, thoughts and events that must come to an end, that have to be cut short or set aside in your sunset moment can give way to a beautiful sunrise.
But what are your Sunset stories like? What are they about? How have they impacted you? Tell us!
Garden Conversations with Roze 