- Carlington Wilmot/Freelance Photographer
Joyce Rutham is aged 69 but still rides, and sells her callaloo to those who have need of it.
Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer
"Greensey time!" "Greensey time!"
The penetrating shout issues from the throat of Joyce Rutham who for decades, has woken up residents of Ebony Vale and nearby communities in St. Catherine with this call - an exhortation to buy callaloo for Sunday breakfast and weekday meals.
Joyce Rutham of Frasers Content in the parish, is one year short of turning 70, but rides her bicycle with the ease of one who has been doing it from the 1960s.
Her grandson Larel Richards, a student of the University of the West Indies, says that his grandmother has been cycling and selling callaloo as far back as he can remember. Even he was drafted into the family business at age four.
"She always believes in herself and does what she can do," he comments.
Mrs. Rutham has used her mobile market stall to send five children to school and look after a husband who was ailing for decades until he died.
Married to Vivian Rutham in 1966, she gave birth to six children. Because Vivian was sickly, she explains, "I had to do the man's work." She started by walking and washing people's clothes, but this she says "was too rough on my body."
Every little thing
She also attempted to make a business of buying and selling fish and "in between, every little thing".
But, it was the callaloo business which was to prove most enduring. It was enough to send sons David, John Mark and Jonathon, plus daughters Veronica and Euphemia, from basic school straight through to secondary school and then on to trade school at the Spanish Town Centre. Daughter Doreen died at the age of two years.
Mrs. Rutham was determined that her children would go to school, a privilege which she herself did not have. Her father, she said, was a very religious man who would wake them up in the mornings with his prayers and singing of hymns, but he did not see the need to send his daughter to school, even though friends of the family begged him to.
So, when he (her father) died in her late teens, she was left on the mercy of cousins and friends. It was at this time that she went to live in Spanish Town.
Rice fields
She worked in the rice fields and then cut cane for a while, but this too, was no way to position herself to raise a family.
Mrs. Rutham states, "I had the mind that what had happened to me, I did not want to happen to them (her children). I said, if is even elementary school (they should go). So I try to send everyone (to school)."
The buying and selling and then the callaloo business was to prove to be her answer, even though the children were often left at home to take care of themselves.
Her children, now all gainfully employed, include a professional chef, electrician and furniture maker. And, of her nine grandchildren, two are students at the University of the West Indies. Another has hopes of entering nursing school.
Granddaughter Simone, aged 21, declares that she admires her grandmother for her independence. She is also "someone who you can go to for counselling on any subject," she says.
Grandson Larel is of the opinion that his grandmother's sacrifice, along with the illness of his grandfather was what inspired his aunts and uncles to fulfill the dreams of their mother.
Now, even though Joyce Rutham is past the age when many would choose to sit and home and just rest, she is still at it, using her small income to help out her grandchildren and even friends. Residing in her home is a 94-year-old friend, Edna Taff, who is ill and who has found a caregiver in Mrs. Rutham.
Richard, who admits that even though he is a good student (aiming for a degree in computer science and physics), he is no saint, states that his grandmother is very forgiving.
"She is my inspiration. With the sacrifices that she makes, there is no time to idle. She is also an ardent believer in God, don't play around with her."
Mrs. Rutham, a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church since 1956, claims that she has never been discouraged in her life.
"I always hear the voice, 'don't be discouraged'. Anytime the way look dark and the clouds thick, is that time the answer coming," she said.
She keeps on riding, with her God.
