I wouldn’t trade my husband for the world

Dear Pastor,

I am a 41-year-old Jamaica-born woman living in the United States of America.

After coming to America, I went back to school. I was determined to make something out of my life. I studied nursing and today I am a registered nurse. Life has not been very rosy to me. I did housework when I came to America, but I don’t regret doing so.

I never got pregnant, and the man who married me is white. He adores me and I love him so much. He is more than a gentleman. We have built a life together. He has been to Jamaica with me many times and he loves Jamaica. He has said many times that he would love to retire there. I have no intention of retiring in Jamaica because most of my relatives and friends are living in America.

I know hard times, but my husband does not. He is from a middle-class family. I know that he would not survive in Jamaica for a long time. But he likes Jamaica because, when he comes, he goes everywhere and he spends most of his time on the beach. We have recently bought a townhouse by the beach. So, I can say that I own somewhere in the land of my birth. I will never want another man in my life.

This man treats me like a queen and I look to him as my king. When I am in Jamaica, I don’t have to look over my shoulder to see if he is looking at another woman. He is a good man. I trust him and he trusts me. He spends most of the time on the beach because he is always trying to get a tan. We continue to read your column. We hope to visit your church the next time we are in Jamaica.

O.

Dear O.,

I am glad that you have met a good man. You went to America and you studied hard.

You did not waste your time. Today, you are a registered nurse. I am glad that you have met a man who truly loves you and who loves Jamaica and is quite willing to live here after he has retired. You declared to him that you are not coming back to Jamaica to live and I know that he will not come without you.

I wish the both of you well. Take good care of each other. I look forward to meeting both of you in the future. I really do.

Pastor