I went and visited Mrs Holmes today. As I have been a science student I cant promise you I will be able to use words to express myself as eloquently as David but I will try to give a blow by blow as things unfolded
I spent about an hour with her today. It was refreshing and a stroll down memory lane. I was allowed to visit her in her room. A visit by Mrs Josephs (now Dr Josephs, I believe had just ended).
I know she didnt recognise me but she remembered the name (thank God for nothing specific). She spoke about Davids visit and was still expressing great joy and pleasure after that visit. She told me about her family (Daughter, Son in Law and two grand children)
She also spoke of her life after JC and the events leading up to her having to live in that home, of course with all smiles on her face. She made comments about her not being in touch with the outside world. Her subscription to the Gleaner had expired two weeks ago and there has been noone to renew same for her. Mrs Josephs visit allowed her (Mrs Holmes) to give some one on the outside a cheque to renew her subscription.
I promised her a subscription to the Observer as my contribution to her literary enrichment. This proved problematic as she insisted on giving me a cheque to pay for the subscription. We had a mini fight about the issue but I prevailed.
I met her friend Mrs Hyde. While there she recieved a call from her friend in Barbadoes but she asked the person to call back in an hour because she was talking to one of her JC boys (move over David and make space on the seat for me)
After more conversation about her post JC life, her books, things in storage I had to bid my farewell. Knowing that her subscription has been up I could not help but to go get Sunday papers. She held my hand and walked me to the Verandah where she waited until I returned with the papers.
Great day for me. She did jokingly say during our conversations though that even though discipline was always high on her list of things for us young men she would much prefer to be rememebered as a teacher than as a disciplinarian