By Adrian Frater, Staff Reporter
Mrs. Coke
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHILE SEPTEMBER 11 is best remembered globally for the 2001 terrorists attack on the United States of America, for 86-year-old Mrs. Alvira Coke, it marks the date, 16 years ago, when her only child, reggae icon Peter Tosh, was murdered in Kingston.
"I still remember - how could I forget? I heard the news on the radio and it was so shocking that I almost lost my mind," said a reflective Mrs. Coke, as she spoke to The Gleaner at her Belmont home in Westmoreland, last week. 'I still don't know how I live through that experience, it was the worst experience of my entire life."
Mrs. Coke says she had a very special relationship with Peter, who would always visit her within a day or two of coming back to Jamaica after a tour. She said those visits were usually quite special, since when he came to Belmont, he took great delight in preparing meals for the family.
"Peter was quite good in the kitchen, he was a very good cook," said Mrs. Coke, who added that he was quite good at most domestic chores. "You should see Peter wash and Iron. When he ironed his pants, the seams usually stand up sharp like a razor blade."
A LONG-STANDING CHRISTIAN
Mrs. Coke, a long-standing Christian, did not see eye-to-eye with Peter on matters such as his Rastafarian beliefs and his smoking of ganja. She nonetheless had great admiration for his music, his general militancy and his no-nonsense approach to issues such as racism.
"I wanted him to go to church and become a good Christian, but he never saw things my way," said Mrs. Coke, who pointed out that Tosh was always quite respectful to her and never once smoked ganja in her presence. "He never tried to offend me in anyway and that is why we share that special mother and son bond."
Because of her age, Mrs. Coke is no longer able to carry out her domestic chores and as a consequence, she spends most of her days sitting on her verandah, conversing with the numerous visitors to Peter's white mausoleum, which is situated at the entrance of her front yard.
"I had to make 11 trips back and forth from Kingston to ensure that Peter's body was buried here at Belmont," said Mrs. Coke, sounding every bit as militant as her famous son. "Some people wanted to have him buried at Dovecot but I would not have it. I wanted him right where he is now."
Mrs. Coke said that while she knew her son was famous prior to his death, she did not realise to what extent until he was killed. According to her, it is a daily ritual for fans from all over the world to visit her home to get a firsthand look at his mausoleum and pay tribute to him.
"The only place I cannot recall getting visitors from is possibly Iraq," said Mrs. Coke, who regularly spends several hours per day giving interviews to visitors and having her photograph taken with them. "When they are not here praising him, they are asking me questions about him."
While Mrs. Coke misses the fact that Peter is no longer around, she has created quite a relationship with the 10 children he left behind. According to her, whenever her grandchildren make their regular visit to her Belmont home, it is usually a very happy occasion.
"The children are really wonderful and I have a special place in my heart for all of them," said Mrs. Coke, as she watched grandson Dave (Tosh) putting the finishing touch to a new sign that was being erected across from the immaculately-kept mausoleum. "I really do enjoy having them around because they are what their father has left me."
SPECIAL FEEL
While she did not admit it, Mrs. Coke appears to have a special feel for Andrew (Tosh's singing son), who many people say bears a striking resemblance to his father, sporting shoulder length dreadlocks like that of the legendary Wailer.
"He is a nice young man and he seems to love the music as much as his father," said Mrs. Coke, with a sweet motherly smile. "One thing though, him smoke too much. He was here with me two days ago and I had to give him two slap because him walk right into the house with the spliff."
While Mrs. Coke has the same reservations about Andrew's Rastafarian beliefs as she had with his dad, she is nonetheless quite happy that he is making a name for himself in the world of music. According to her, she respects his decision to follow in his father's footstep.
"You know I am not into their thing (Rasta) but would prefer to see him in church beside me. However, I wish him well in what he is doing," said Mrs. Coke.
"The father was quite good in the music so if he follows in his footstep he too should do well."
While Mrs. Coke will not be in the United States to watch her grandson perform at the 2003 'Tribute to Peter Tosh' set for Miami, Florida between October 19-26, she has given the event her full blessing.
"I am too old for that, the eyes are not good and the joints are weak," said Mrs. Coke, who gently stroked her shoulders as she spoke. "My time is drawing close. I am ready, I am just waiting on the Lord to call me home. I have done my time and it is time to go home to my maker."
Quizzed as to whether or not she hopes to see Peter on the other side (heaven), a thoughtful Mrs. Coke was quite philosophical in her answer: "I really don't know but with God all things are possible."
