THE EDITOR, Sir:
MANY OF us, as well as meteorologists here and in Miami, are perplexed at Hurricane Ivan's sudden deviation from what seemed to be a bullseye hit for Jamaica. We heard that the hurricane "wobbled" and then deviated south of the island, thus avoiding even worse damage to our island.
I don't have the scientific explanation for this "wobbling". What I do have is the power of a little girl's mind and her faith. Following are two letters my 11-year-old daughter Victoria wrote to God and to the hurricane on the Friday evening. I had no idea that while I was doing my preparations, she was busy writing letters on heart-shaped paper which she then threw outside our window into the storm:
"Dear God,
On this wonderful and beautiful day, I ask on this wonderful and beautiful moment to please don't make the hurricane hurt the people of JA. We have gotten so far. I know you can't make the hurricane just stop on the snap of your finger. I know it's nature's course but don't make it do much damage.
P.S.: I love you.
Love Vicky"
"Dear Mr. H. Ivan,
Can you please stop destroying Jamaica and my mom's plants. Before you came everything was good, school, family, friends and now you've broken that and Jamaica. In this divine letter I ask please STOP. Love Victoria M
P.S.: I am willing to pay you $20 to stop destroying things. Please leave JA".
She retrieved the letters, all wet and soggy, from the garden on Saturday morning. We still haven't found the $20.00!
I am, etc.,
MARGUERITE ORANE
mo@cwjamaica.com
