A Good Intent woman shares what had brought her this far.

ALTHOUGH history books and tell tales tell of stories from a long time ago, something special is brought about from the essence of experience. Stories told by someone who has spent years on earth weathering the storms of life are among the most captivating tales ever told, and oftentimes, they are where significant lessons are learned.

Very few people live a life as long as Leadel Ghent. Leadel or Ms. Ghent, as she is known around the community of Good Intent, is one of the most active, jovial and spritely 92-year-olds around. She is always ready to show visitors her garden, offer her home to the neighbourhood children in the absence of a playground and offer a warm, home-cooked meal to anyone in need. Travelling Guyana and the Caribbean for more than nine decades, Leadel’s life has been an intricate tapestry of experiences from a different time. She spoke to the Pepperpot magazine about what years, time and tide and has taught her, and the secret to long life, she says, is simple.

The value of hard work during tough times
Leadel was born into a hardworking family in the community of Sisters Village as the last of four children. Her family brought in modest earnings and Leadel and her siblings sought enjoyment in the simple things in life. Early morning swims, sleeping in trees and long walks through the backlands of the West Bank where what filled the days of children of her generation. Leadel stated that “Growing up was not too bad. But we had to make life as best we could, and that was working hard.”

Hard work is essential in every aspect of life, but more so for people like Leadel during a time when farming and manual labour were the only options for people of the working class at the time. Her parents were farmers and tended to their acres of land the old-fashioned way, with hand tools in place of a plough. At quite an early age, Leadel undertook various responsibilities in order to add to her family’s earnings. She worked several jobs, some more tiring than others, but all in an attempt to survive.

At 19 years old, Leadel would meet her husband while working one of her many jobs. She admitted that initially, the thought of beginning a family of her own was daunting. The young couple, however, happy and in love, settled in the village of Good Intent more tha seven decades ago. The community of Good Intent was still primarily farmland and cattle, and was still cultivating its sense of community. Leadel said that, “Good Intent was simple, not as big as it is now. It was rough.”

Starting a family
Life was simple in the quaint little village of Good Intent. Leadel and her husband embarked on numerous journeys together, but parenthood was among the longest and certainly would be considered by many to be the most challenging. Throughout their marriage, the couple had 13 children together. Supporting their rapidly growing family was the couple’s first priority; and Leadel called on her values of hard work in those difficult times. “My husband used to do farming and I used to do farming too. And then I started baking and selling. To look after the children and send them to school,” she shared.

Over a span of more than forty years, Leadel gave birth to a new generation, with more than 30 grandchildren, and well over 50 great-grandchildren. Leadel embodies what it means to be a mother and more so, a matriarch. Raising the children throughout all those years was primarily her responsibility. She would run her home unlike any other, with 13 children to feed, care, clothe and send to school. She explained how her days began early and ended late. Waking the children and got them ready for school, but not without putting together a meal of whatever she could find. If not anything else, she would ensure her family was healthy and happy.

Life lessons learnt
After a long life defined by countless encounters and shaped by various experiences, some painful, unfortunate and happy, Leadel has garnered a unique view of the important things in life. The importance of family is above all else to the ninety-two-year-old. After fostering, caring and bringing up a family as big as hers, Leadel cherishes each and every one of her family members. She explained that despite the challenges of motherhood, it is essential that each child is loved for who they are. She stated, “Not all of your children are going to come out good. There is one that causes some trouble. But you have to cherish them.”

Leadel was born, lived and raised a family throughout different eras. In reminiscing about her life, she remembers and values the simple things. The things that people may often overlook are what Leadel looks to as life’s greatest gifts. In answering what was most important to her, and perhaps what has brought her this far, she simply stated, “Good food and family.”