Photo by Marlene McPherson
Happy couple after 43 years of marriage.
Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
WHEN LASCELLES Ming rented a room from Mrs. Mary Walters he was unaware that love, and marriage to her daughter, Pearline was a part of the package.
Fast forward to today, to the Mings' residence in Lyssons, St. Thomas. The atmosphere is cool and tranquil. Lascelles and Pearline Ming sat cozily together on the lawn under the late evening stars. Both returnees from England, went down memory lane and recalled for Outlook how their marriage started and how it blossomed into 43 years of togetherness.
"The room I rented was beside Mrs. Mary Walters who had three daughters. Her husband predeceased her. I lived next to them so all the men I knew were envious of me. We lived like a big family. It was said that 'one man was living with four women,' it was a joke! They wanted to be acquainted with the three ladies so I had to keep them at bay." recounted Lascelles.
This evoked much laugher from the couple, then he continued, while Mrs. Pearline Ming listened attentively and looked admirably at her companion.
"I was attracted to Pearline, who is of a very quiet personality. Her mother, on the other hand, was a good conversationalist, a blessed old woman. She taught me all things. One day she asked me,
'Are you in love with my daughter?' Before I could respond, she said, 'I like you as a son -in -law.
"This was a signal of approval, and I was given certain privileges, I was no longer required to pay rent, and eventually we started to live together. This was after the seventh year. Courtship was entered into and after 10 years of being around each other we were married."
The wedding was held at home in the same area that they lived; a district called Free School in Port Antonio. Although no written invitations were issued the entire village came to the afternoon wedding. According to Mr. Ming the joke of that wedding was that the bride became drunk so when the toast to the bride was being given she could not be found. A search revealed that she was asleep in bed.
They both laughed heartily at this.
"It was my first experience, and I was not saved then," Pearline said.
Extended family
Although they were married they continued to live as an extended family. He worked as a carpenter making caskets, and then he migrated to England. He said he took a Spanish ship, The Big Gona which took 21 days of sailing to reach his destination in England. But it could not dock because of industrial actions that were taking place at the time. Small boats were used to transport the 500 passengers across. The place was extremely cold and he had to be forced out of the ship.
It was at this point that he realised how much Pearline meant to him.
"I never shared with anyone else yet. Half of my life was dependent on her. I got a work at the Bull Ring in Birmingham City working as a carpenter. When I received my weekly pay of £28 I threw it in the suitcase to save for her coming. At the end of six months I was able to send for her. I paid about £85 at that time," said Lascelles.
Pearline chipped in: "When I came off the plane after nine and a half hours I felt good, I was overjoyed, but I missed my family. I had mixed feelings, I felt disappointed about the living conditions. This type of arrangement was new to me - sharing facilities with others. For seven years I had to share bathroom and kitchen. It was a period of inconvenience so I had to adjust. During this time I worked in a sewing factory.'
Regardless of the inconvenience Lascelles said he was extremely happy to have her.
"When she came we were able to be close to each other, I was comfortable. Prior to Pearline's arrival I had built up an association with a domino club and I became the captain. I was also a member of a bingo club so I continued my fun with the boys. When it was tournament time Pearline would accompany us on the trips and we had great times together."
Although, they do not have any biological children together, they are still happy. Lascelles had three children from a previous relationship and Pearline sees them as hers just the same. They take comfort in that "it is the Lord's doing" because "He does what pleases Him".
Just like the first time
Outlook inquired about their love for each other and this was their response: "Oh my, I love her still just like the first time. The more I understand her, the more I love her," stated Lascelles. Pearline endorsed this sentiment with a nod and of course a smile.
According to the Mings, they sit down and talk about issues and they understand each other by planning together, thus strengthening their love and marriage.
What better way to do this now than under the tropical sunshine - whatever they please, whenever they please!
