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MY PRECIOUS JEWELS

A TALE OF FAMILY LOVE BY

ELSIE MABEL SHEPPARD

Printed by Carol-Lyn Hart in 1995 Digitally created by Valerie v.d. Meulen Sheppard in 2020

Elsie Mabel Sheppard nĂŠe Gomez was born in Arima, Trinidad on 26 May 1888. She married Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard on 20 January, 1909 at the St. Annâ€™s Church of Scotland, Port of Spain. They had thirteen children together and had been married for twenty-two years when Charles died at only forty-five years old, leaving her to raise their family of six boys and six girls alone. At the time, Elsie, Charles and their children lived in their large residence at 30 Richmond Street, Port of Spain. As a single mother, Elsie devoted herself to her family. She enjoyed a full life surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She passed away on 2 Apr 1969 at age eighty and was laid to rest with her beloved Charlie and their infant son Arthur. The love and affection with which she wrote these brief memoirs is evident, and she is lovingly remembered by her family and everyone who knew her.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS

The wall was high, so a contrivance was made by placing a barrel and a box raised to the height of the barrel that my family and friends could stand on so that the masqueraders could be seen from over the wall. I was just sixteen years old and no one could stop me from being first to be standing there because I knew that my dear boyfriend would also be coming. I lived with my grandmother so naturally had my chores to do even though it was the Carnival Day, so early I got up and finished everything in time. Much too early for the crowds but not too soon for him to come. He and I sat on the board and talked so shyly to each other, then we would jump up to see some foolish disguised person or band of revelers go by. After a while I was tired and the heat of the sun was fiercely burning on the wall, so I decided to jump off the wall, stand and found myself right in the arms of my darling who immediately kissed me for the first time. I was so astonished and too excited for words so what do you think? I just flew into the house and rushed like mad to the piano and played as I never did before. He sat on a chair next to me and accompanied me with chords. My grandmother and sister came out of their rooms and made signs to each other. From then I knew that no obstacle could ever separate my darling from me. Two young lovers with a long journey to go. My story goes on to say that the happy boy and girl always loved each other until a marriage took place among a very happy home and family and continued happiness reigned with the young people enjoying the many good wishes of so many friends and relatives.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS

The Gomez Family

Picture taken on the day of Elsie's engagement to Charles Sheppard - 1907 L to R: George (Dr) , Edith, Elsie, Charlie Sheppard, Joseph, Audrey, Vincent. Centre: Joe Gomez & Christina (Pereira) Gomez Front: Ivy & William.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS

Elsie and Charles 20 January 1909

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS

Wedding Day - 20 January 1909 corner of Shine Street and Victoria Square, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Charles and Elsie with their family and friends, standing in front of the residence of Albert and Mary Mendes where the reception was held. Albert's wife Mary Pereira was Elsie's aunt, Albert was her Godfather.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS My husband was the only son of a very fine English couple and they were overjoyed to have me as a daughter. I was from a large family and also from European parents. After one year of marriage, a darling baby girl came along and as I want to think of them all as my precious jewels, I shall call her Diamond. The progress of my husband’s affairs increased swiftly and soon he was satisfactorily installed, so as the family increased, the position was a happy one. The home in which my children grew up was very beautiful and surrounded by a setting of golden Buttercups, Bougainvillea bursting out its glorious branches of purple and red and even rusty shades, Poinsettias, and the gracious plumes of the Queen of Flowers. Music pervaded the air, father and children being the musicians. I often look back on those happy evenings when whole performances took place. There were boxing matches, amateur acting with songs, etc. Papa was always the announcer and all obeyed. My Ruby was first-class with the radio or gramophone, but Emerald usually sang with Papa to Diamond’s accompaniment. Mama usually had to sit in the midst of the rough Diamond and other chips of jewelry mingling about on the ring to keep them from getting out of order.

One of the performances I remember well was when Papa would lie flat on the rug and made a quick change by calling himself a forty-legged centipede. That meant from his neck to his toes the children, or rather, more fondly my jewels, would ride astride his body, and on numerous occasions one or two cousins joined in the fun. What a happy home – music, laughter, comfort in all its phases. But alas! Like most things in life, changes must come. And changes did come – with many regrets, misfortunes appeared in many ways and worse of all, my husband’s health.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS When misfortune came, I trembled and often felt my home shaking but thanks to God Almighty my indomitable will must not be shaken and “Please God, don’t let it fall,” I pleaded. Surely there must be an answer, but for ever so long no answer seemed to come, for my dear husband passed on among the troubles that came upon my beautiful home. The heart in my crown of jewels was broken, but I still had fragments among the chips. So, I gathered them all together and formed in my heart new jewels. I will not dwell on the sad occasions, because though there were so many, the happy episodes in my married life were twice as many. “Therefore,” said I, “Forget the evil and let the Spirit of God take its place”.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS Holiday times were always spent by the seaside places where the children enjoyed to their fullest all the bathing, fishing, etc. Their father always saw that other children joined his in their happiness. The mumps came on just as the family was preparing to go that week on vacation. So according to nature, superstition and medicine, they were told to paint their glands at the back of the ear with bluing. The three boys rather enjoyed the joke and of course a tribe of blue Indians forgot everything about their mumps which I must say relieved me of much worry. The others did not catch the disease. That was a blessing. Whenever the family went on any outings, especially if it meant staying away from home for any length of time, it appeared to passers-by that a convention or Sunday School outing was on its way because first a truck had to be hired for conveying extra mattresses, cribs, pots and pans, etc. etc. and board placed across boxes for the children to sit on. Cousins and friends always came along too. The family car went on before with Papa driving and I holding the baby, among other articles such as medicine, bottles and so on. Oh! but what a grand time for all. The unloading, the rushing for fishing tackle for Papa, the change into bath suits. My! They had fun.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS My husband died when my last child was two years old, the eldest being nineteen. In all there were twelve. Now came my problems – twelve fatherless children and very little money. My eldest girl, Diamond, after her graduation from High School, obtained a Government job which was of great help, especially as she could buy for herself such fineries as were needed and put by something for the “Bottom Drawer”. Ruby was my general help in the home and thank goodness completely immune to such diseases as measles, etc. when the epidemic appeared. Emerald, at sixteen, got a small job at a firm near the home. That was not much, except for her own needs. There was a mortgage on my beautiful home, but it was still in my possession, so the older children and I got together to solve difficulties and a Boarding House was suggested. As I said before, my husband’s progress in business accumulated and he invested in this house, which afterwards became a great source of means to raise such a family. Well, to come back to the Boarding House idea, that was in itself something of tolerance, humility and above all – bravery. Then there was the subject of dividing the rooms. There were six rooms on the upper floor and five on the lower, with living room, dining room, study and the other conveniences. So, my precious jewels, Diamond, Ruby and Emerald decided to do the decorations and deprive themselves of individual rooms. There was much to talk of and much to do. Frills and curtains, bedspreads and painting, and so on. I tried to look enthusiastic, but in my heart, I could not see myself interviewing boarders and being, so to speak, a landlady to strangers in my own home. Well, after all the readiness was in command, I advertised for boarders. I often stayed by myself to cry or to pray, but whenever I was missed my girls would send in my darling three-year-old to climb on my lap. She would say “Don’t cry, Mamma, no bills today”. She was used to hearing that the postman seemed to only bring bills, which made me cry. She was my smallest gem, like a Chip of Diamond.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS Well, while I was in such a mood, the doorbell rang and from everywhere curious eyes peeped to see who was ringing, hoping for my sake that an answer to the advertisement had come at last. I was closest to the door so I went to answer the call. A very fine old gentleman and sweet looking middle-aged lady asked me politely had I a room vacant, and just as I possibly could be polite too I said, “So sorry, the room is taken”. They went away and I dashed for my chair and just cried and cried. The girls came in so excited. Emerald still held a rose which she left out of the vase decorating the room. “What happened?” they asked. I was at a loss for words. I got up and started walking around to find something to do. Then the answer came to me. I completely forgot that nothing could be accomplished without the help of God, and there I was thinking that it was easy to do these things alone. But then I found the answer, and began to put my trust in God and leave my problems in His Hands.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS The money I obtained from the insurance company was invested, so a regular substantial amount came to me quarterly by which means the younger children were well educated, though notwithstanding the ups and downs which accompanied for uniforms, books, fees, all had to be carefully concentrated on. The first to leave my home was Diamond, but she was still in my crown, next to my broken heart. She married a fine young man and was a happy bride but always was my darling daughter who always had great faith that her mother would come through all her difficulties. A tiny episode in her life which I always remember was on a certain day when she was just two years old. I had her standing on the edge of the bath while I was doing the usual scrubbing and was surprised when she remarked, “I cannot fall, Mama, ‘cause you are holding me.” I felt so much depended on me that my children must always throughout my lifetime, have complete trust in me. After another year, my second girl went to further her studies in England, and having had certificates at home, she got through very quickly and came home a Certified Nurse. She got married and her profession was always useful to others. Grandchildren started to appear because my third daughter married a wealthy estate owner. He had a wonderful country home, where he carried on a farm and raised cows, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks. Quickly babies came and their three lovely little girls were brought up among nature – the mountains, the river and the animals. It was a home that was always a nice place to go to, so my smaller children often spent their vacations with Emerald. Her husband was always proud to say, “My wife churned the butter, she made the jam, the cake…” They were always very happy.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS Two fine little chips from the jewels, and I shall call them Amber and Amethyst were always together in mischief or in seriousness whether at play or in school. Many times, a shoe was lost or mishap of some kind would take place. At last the day of exams came and that would decide whether they would continue with school or get a job somewhere. They tried very hard to be successful and thankful I was when the results came. They were sufficiently clever for a job

So far, the jewels in my crown are Diamond, Ruby, Opal and Emerald. And now come my precious Agate and Garnet, two sturdy little fellows who had to put in a lot of study at college to obtain their certificates, so that they could be accomplished for jobs in a little while. They did well and after leaving school they both started out at the beginning of their struggles. Agate soon found a girlfriend and always remained true to her. They got married sometime later and three lovely grandchildren were added to my lot. Ruby also married a very good man and was always at hand to bring forth the babies into the world. Garnet became an oil driller and worked in the oil fields for many years. He married also and had children, one boy and one girl. He adorned my crown. What about my six little chips still left to be gathered up. School days for them were a bit of a worry for me because they must have the same chances as the others. The older ones came to my rescue and helped with the fees, etc. Two darling little boys Sapphire and Amethyst were like twins. They were always so happy together and grew up the same always sharing with each other. I got a few chips of jewels and placed them together so they formed a special Sapphire in my crown. Years after my darling Sapphire was called away to the Heavenly Father but the Sapphire always showed up in my crown as one with them all.

MY PRECIOUS JEWELS It was my greatest joy when after these four boys, a darling little girl appeared in our family. She was so new to the boys that Diamond took care of her and so a Chip of Diamond I shall call her. She was always loved by her brothers especially, and grew up into a lovely mother of three boys and a girl. One year after my little Chip of Diamond, a dear little fellow was born. He was looked after by the girls until he became old enough to go to school. Sometimes he would have loved to stay at home but that was not allowed so off he had to go with his sisters. He was called Amber. He was so lovely and good and adorns my crown also. Another beautiful little girl also came along and I shall call her Turquoise. She was a joy to the family until she left for the United States of America to make her home as a happily married woman. Now there are four beautiful girls in her happy home. My last baby girl was the apple of my eye and she I will call Pearl. Pearl means tears but she was always drying my tears. She eventually married and has a lovely home, happy with her husband and family of two boys and two girls.

Elsie with her eldest grandchild Joan de Sousa

Years later: Elsie above centre, all her Precious Jewels and one little Chip

1928 - Charles and Elsie with their children

1945- Four generations

Now I shall give you my readers the happy ending to my story, “My Precious Jewels”, and their jewels also. DIAMOND is still happy with four of her jewels; RUBY three; OPAL with four; EMERALD with three; AGATE with three; GARNET with two; My darling SAPPHIRE in Heaven left a wife and five jewels; AMETHYST with five; CHIP OF DIAMOND had four; AMBER seven; TURQUOISE four; PEARL has four and TOPAZ – an angel with us only for a precious time.

My crown is now complete with the broken heart amidst the support of the jewels and their chips.

We are unclear as to the date Elsie Mabel wrote this story, but would like to add that OPAL had two more jewels and GARNET had four more. Elsie Mabel had in all fifty-six grandchildren.