Features

Still on track

By LEIGHTON WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter

FOR YEARS, VINCENT James waited patiently on the matrimony train as he searched for a suitable candidate to be by his side as the train travelled on the uncertain track called marriage. To him, anything less than what the conductor approved was unacceptable.

In 1971, destiny, the conductor, told him that Nelzeta Maxwell, another passenger waiting on the same train would be sitting beside him. At first, he was unwilling as he did not know what to make of the person he would share the journey with. But, after three years he was certain that the conductor had selected the perfect companion. Now, 30 years on, he is still happy with the partner that was provided for him.

Right choice

"Sometimes things happen and you don't know why at the beginning. But, later down you see why and you know that God made the right choice for you," said Mr. James. "Some people will say it's luck but God has worked it out that way," he added. Vincent and Nelzeta, who live in Waterford, Portmore, St. Catherine, have been married for the past 30 years. They say the love and respect they have for each other has been the fuel that has kept their marriage train firmly anchored on the long and winding rail track of life.

"The key component to our marriage has been the love and respect that we have for each other. Nothing else," said Mr. James, as he sat beside his wife at their home in Waterford.

"We have our problems yes but we talk about them and then move on," said Mrs. James.

The couple met in 1971 while they were living in Kingston. Mr. James said he always admired the then Miss Maxwell and finally developed the courage to approach her. On August 8, 1973, three years after their first meeting, in front of a small crowd of 25 people, the couple were given permission by the 'Station Master' to begin the uncertain journey of life on the matrimonial train.

"I remember one evening while we were living together he came home and said he would marry me if I take it small and I said yes," said Mrs. James. "It was a small wedding indeed as there were just a few friends and us."

Mr. James added that the wedding was a suitable birthday present for Mrs. James who had celebrated her birthday a day earlier. He recalled that he bought his suit and his shoes months before the wedding as he was confident that he had made the right choice in terms of selecting a partner to continue life's journey with him.

"She's a good co-pilot on my train," he said. "I wouldn't want another. She's also a very good cook she can really reach my heart through my stomach," he added smiling as Mrs. James blushed.

"Last week she cooked me a piece of roast beef and the way it taste good I made it serve me for a week," he said laughing.

Mr. James, who currently works at an auto store in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, said he is a former ticket seller at the Jamaica Railway Corporation while Mrs. James was a pastry chef. The couple have no children together but have fostered two.

"He's a good man to live with and if the opportunity presents itself I would marry him tomorrow morning," said Mrs. James while reinforcing the point that marriage was about love and respect. The couple say they are planning to celebrate their anniversary with a cake baked by Mrs James.