Portrait of an Earth Keeper
Earth mother is whom I pray to and give thanks for - every day. I adore her. I appreciate her. I love her. So when I spend time with someone and witness their actions - someone who has devouted their life to caring for her? I want to honor them. Even if they are shy and don’t act like they are special. Even if they don’t have a lot to say about it. It’s just who they are and what they do. But they’re okay if I write about it. Perhaps it shows the disconnection to the planet that I have witnessed in my career and in life in the United States - I may never be here again - felt like a nice opportunity to learn more.
I have volunteered at the Botanical Garden of Nevis for almost two months now and I admire Terry, an earth keeper who has worked on the land, tending the plants and trees, for forty years. We met for Chinese food after his workday, in Charlestown, Nevis. We ate our food, drank our drinks and he greeted most as they entered the joint.
Nathaniel “Terry” Liburd, Gardener at the Botanical Garden in Nevis, West Indies.
Nathaniel Liburd, nicknamed Terry since childhood, was born on May 23, 1963 - three months after I was, in Nevis at Alexander Hospital in Charlestown. His parents were farmers, growing cotton and sugar cane. He had three sisters and two brothers and a dog named razor.
Terry was hired at age 22, tending to the private garden of Tim Mosely. This was the land that would eventually become part of the Botanical Garden - but not yet. He was finished with another job and asked for work and Tim Mosely told him to show up on the following Monday. Terry and another gardener took care of the flower garden for fourteen years, before it was sold. The land was sold to Joseph Murphy, an Englishman, who was married with two children. Tim Mosely continued living on the property but died a year later.
The new owner Joseph Murphy added two more acres, bringing the land to 8 acres. Terry worked for Joseph until the land and home were sold to Christie Douglas and her husband around 2008 and it has been in their family to this day, expanding, planting and designating the land as the botanical garden for all to enjoy.
Terry feels connected to the trees. He planted the palm trees when they were little plants. He weed wacks the land, drags heavy fallen branches for compost, waters, weeds, plants and moves flower beds. It’s particularly challenging to do these things under the hot sun. I have watch him in action - doing his thing - with a wave and a smile.
Terry learned how to build stone walls by observing others. He built most of the walls at the garden. Building with stone was cheaper than cement.
Terry likes Reggae music best and was wearing a Peter Tosh t-shirt when we met for dinner. His favorite meal is chow mein, his favorite restaurant is Gold Coast, in downtown Charlestown (no website.) He is anglican and goes to church. His favorite place is the garden - it’s where he spends most of his time - working five days a week - 7-am to 3 pm and one day he works at the Hermitage Hotel and Sundays, he rests.
His favorite time of day is lunch. When he told me that I laughed because I think of the several times I searched for him and found him in the back. “Terry? Are you in there? When you are done with your lunch can you help me with…..” and the ask was usually around helping me dig some holes in very dense, rocky soil. Terry uses a pick ax - the kind that the 7 dwarves carry - so heavy! I feel bad hearing lunch is his favorite time and he has to hear, “Terry?” When I told him that, he smiled. I won’t look for him during those hours anymore.
His favorite flower is the orchid. They are perched in trees and are watered every other day.T
When not gardening, Terry loves to fish. He fishes with a small boat with a friend for Cobbler, a salt water catfish, using soldier crabs for bait. He talked about catching eel. He puts a fish in a bucket of water and swirls it around, pours the fishy water into the shallow, rocky shore and with a wire with a hook on it, with the crab bait, he pokes it around rocks and catches an eel. He cleans it, cuts it up and fries it and said it’s delicious. The eels are black or white or brown.
Everyone knows Terry :) He would like to visit England one day.
Honoring Terry, for his friendly demeanor, hard work and commitment to the Botanical Gardens in Nevis. I know and see that it is part of him - not something to shout to the world about - not seeking accolades or attention.
I will never forget the garden or Terry. Terry - earth keeper.
