Monday, September 20, 2021
Olga and I are cousins and the best of friends. Olga and I have shared so many happy memories, and here are a few.
When Olga and I were, young, I told her this: “When your age is off the calendar – over 31 – that means you’re very, very old!” And we laughed and laughed. And we were young enough that we really believed that. Can you believe it?
Back home in Jamaica, Olga always came over to my house for me to sew things for her or her daughter, Jackie. One Saturday she came down for me to sew something for her or even for Jackie, like a skirt or a top.
I told her “Olga, why do you have to come every Saturday? After you shop? Way in the evening? Especially when you know you need it tomorrow!” This was something she always did.
She said; “I need it for tomorrow for church!”
As soon as she mentioned church, I had to do it for her. Once it was church, I’d let it slide. I always managed to get it done for her.
Olga was quite the driver. In Canada, I got my license first. I called her and said “Olga, I got my license.”
She said “What! I have to get mine too!” And not much longer after that, she got her license as well.
Once I went to spend three days or a week with Olga. The two of us decided to go to Sears. Olga said she could drive us. Her driving was shocking. I had to hold onto the car door because of the way she turned the corners. “Olga, you drive like this?”
“Yes! I like driving fast. Mi nuh drive slow,” Olga replied.
I was shocked. I said “Dear Lord, keep her!”
Olga never missed a single birthday for my daughter Maxine. Every time her birthday rolled around in June, Olga would mail something nice for her from Toronto to us in Mississauga. Maxine would always look forward to her birthday to see what Olga would send her.
“How does she remember?” Maxine said, amazed at her thoughtfulness. Maxine appreciated how special Olga’s kindness made her feel.
Olga touched so many lives, we love her, and she will be dearly missed.
