Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer
Withel Kesler, of Mt. Airy, St. Andrew, celebrated his 100th birthday on October 15, Heroes Day. - Paul Williams photo
"If yuh name farmer, farm de lan; nuh farm fool!"
Withel Kesler seems as old as the hills that overlook his home in Mt. Airy, St. Andrew. And, it seems as if the salubrious mountain air, which he has been inhaling all his life, has kept him green and fresh as those said hills. When The Gleaner visited him on Sunday, October 14, the rain came in torrents as if with great fanfare to announce his 100th birthday the following day, Heroes Day.
Surrounded by his children, friends and in-laws, he told the story of his life. It was not one of heroic deeds and great achievements, but one of simplicity, hard work and commitment to God, family and self. His opening lines were, "A feel very, very good that God help me that I can live to see 100 years."
Raindrops, modulating between loud and soft, became the background music for this nature lover's tale of longevity.
Withel, the third of five children for Jane and Robert Kesler, was born on October 15, 1907. Not much is known about his family line, only that his German grandfather is believed to have been a slave master. He himself was an obedient child, who became a "determined man".
EDUCATION
Withel, who described himself as "smart", didn't finish Mt. James Elementary School, because of various "minor illnesses", including yaws. During his brief schooldays, he was always a helpful and reliable student, sometimes "walking seven miles to Stony Hill to get the mail for his schoolteacher". This was done speedily as "he was expected to be, and always was, back at school before dismissal".
FARMING
What he didn't learn in the classroom, he did in the fields, as he spent a great part of his youthful days helping his father cultivate a variety of crops, and caring for their cows, goats, pigs and mules. His father also taught him survival skills, such as repairing torn shoes by hand - sewing them with the 'carato', a broad leaf plant also known as sisal.
He applied the knowledge and skills to his own life, and for over 75 years tilled the soil and cared for his livestock, "because his lifelong ambition has always been to demonstrate to" and show the community that "every man must grow what he eats and eat what he grows". Thus, His famous quote: "If yuh name farmer, farm de lan; noh farm fool!"
Yet, it wasn't all work for Withel. For, he was a dancer, a party animal, and a self-proclaimed comedian. He can recall the names of the dance bands and the musicians of his days, and the types of dances, including the quadrille. A tone of boastfulness and pride rang from his mouth when he told how the girls used to fight to dance with him. And he would dance, but they couldn't get too close to him; they would crush his well-ironed attire. He was a slick dresser, a part of the "boasy Keslers".
The three Kesler brothers each married a sister from the same family. Withel married Rena Davis. They had no children together, but they each brought into the marriage, a daughter from pre-marital relationships: Pearl from Withel's, and Mercy from Rena's. Rena died in the early 1960s and Withel did not marry again, because he 'couldn't afford to go down to the gully to begin a new foundation' for a new wife. Starting all over again was not in his books.
A strict father he was, but he shares a very strong bond with his daughters, so much so, that when Pearl was away in England, he planted a crop of dasheen for her every season, and it would stay in the field and spoil, because he didn't want to reap it, and she should come suddenly and not get any. So, deep is his love for her that he said, "If she gone before me, I gwine dead the same time too - nobody could support me like she."
While the story of Pearl and the dasheen might be forever etched in his memory, he doesn't remember in great details many of the events that took place in the world over the span of his lifetime. For example, he has no recollection of the events and issues surrounding Jamaica's Independence, for, as he said, "One brain cannot member everything." He, however, remembers the hardship that Jamaica went through during the two World Wars.
For many days, he recalled, "there were sounds like mad lions coming from the sky". These were fighter planes flying over the island. There was a severe shortage of various commodities, especially kerosene for the lamps, so, he and his family had to boil coconuts to make oil for the lamps.
Worst hurricane
Of the four major hurricanes - 'Charlie' (1951), 'Gilbert' (1988), 'Ivan' (2004) and 'Dean' (2007) - he has been through, for him, 'Gilbert' was the worst. He and his community suffered a great deal during and after that storm.
He's aware of the many technological and social changes that have taken place over the world, some of which he's not pleased with. He was surprised to see tram cars and electric light for the first time. However, he's embarrassed to see how some young men carry themselves of late. The breakdown in the relationship between parents and children he also takes umbrage with. In comparing his time with modern days, he said, "Those 'dark days' were better off." He believes the situation will not get better, and that we are in fact living in the 'last days'.
Devout churchman
In the latter part of his life, he became a devout churchman, and an assistant preacher. In 2002, he was recognised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mt. James as an influential and dedicated community helper. More recently, on August 20, he was honoured by Mt. Carmel Gospel Hall for his long service and dedication. He attributed his long life to his love for the Lord. He quoted Psalm 37:25 to emphasise his point. The verse reads: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
This belief in God might not be the only reason for his long life. Though obviously not as strong as he used to be, he has that dancer's build. He's a small man, in remarkably good shape, perhaps the result of a diet consisting mainly of green bananas and vegetables. There is not much meat, but from time to time, a "little rice and a slice of yam". Plastic-bottled drinks he doesn't like and doesn't drink. A glass of "cold water", sometimes "brackish" with a little sugar, will do. Smoking and strong liquor are a no-no.
At the ripe age of 100, Withel has no medical issues, except for some arthritic pain in a leg. He's witty, alert, and self-assured. He's not worried about anything. According to a statement from his family, "His ability to cope with and laugh at modern-day adversities undoubtedly arises from a lifetime spent 'making well with what he had'.
Improvisation was an act of survival, not a choice. Family bond was an imperative, not a hobby."
So, on Heroes Day, the hills were alive with the sounds of music and laughter. Yet, they were not for our seven national heroes, but for Withel Kesler, a hero in his own way, and a man who has withstood the tests of time. He has no plans for the future as he said, "My plan leads to God and I can't tell Him what to do."
paul.williams@gleanerjm.com
