Late last August, not long after the loss of my grandmother--our family's matriarch--Shirley Marie, my Mama and I were gifted with a chance to spend precious time together and to cultivate memories on the jewel island of Jamaica. Our dear friend had booked his stay at Round Hill in Villa 11, but was unable to make it due to unforeseen circumstances. A few weeks after mourning my grandma Shirley Marie's passing, we got a call asking if we would like to take his place. It was a total last minute opportunity. My Mama called me up out of the blue and asked what I thought, still feeling blue and not wanting to shake up her world. I immediately told her, "You kidding? My passport is waiting for another stamp. Let's go! Time is precious!" In about a week or less, we booked our flights and touched ground in Montego Bay with our matching green and yellow outfits.

The Caribbean island was breathing life and moisture. Singing bird-songs and chirping crickets could be heard within an earshot. Within an eyeshot, the scenery was painted with vivid greens from the tropical trees and clear, cerulean blues of the sea. Lazy lizards, beautiful art, and fire-orange sunsets beyond your wildest dreams painted the skies. Afternoon rains called for calm and cooled the Earth. It was true magic at every turn.

As for our trip and care, we were immediately taken care of by lovely Jamaicans. We felt like family. It was what we needed. It was a true blessing. Round Hill had a welcome booth in the airport and transportation set up for us so we felt safe and relaxed. Perry, our driver, drove us through the summer rain and told us stories of Jamaican history, Reggae music, Jamaican culture, and of the interconnectedness of music, people, and life, saying to us on our drive to Round Hill,"Our hearts tie us together as one, you know? And reggae music is the heartbeat of the people around the world."

The heartbeat and the love was felt. Upon arrival, our new family at Round Hill said: "Welcome home." Mama and I laughed as they handed us our rum cocktails and took our bags for us. We thought it was just something they have to say---like a manuscript. But by the end of our trip, we both realized it was not a script after all. It was real. It was genuine. We were, in fact, home.

Not only that, but Round Hill has a rich history of being home to many. Each villa has a unique story. American President John F. Kennedy wrote his inaugural speech in one of the villas. Another villa hosted Oscar Hammerstein II, the playwright who wrote "The Sound of Music," and many other noteworthy talent have spent time at Round Hill. Once you see it yourself, you realize the hills are indeed alive with the sound of music.

The sound of music is not only alive on the island, but in each person at Round Hill, from the ladies Diana, Shanae, and Erwin, who took care of our breakfast and our villa, to our servers, Shamoya and Laurie-Ann, who took care of us at tea-time and dinner, to our bartenders who made delicious drinks and heard our cries with open ears and hearts, to the musicians and performers, alongside the glass-bottom boat tour guides, our golf-cart rides with the gentleman up and down the hill when we were wearing high heels and didn't want to walk, to even the nurse who took care of my mom's hurt hand when she accidentally hurt herself---ALL of them---made us feel like we were home. We were truly family.

After much pain in our hearts from the loss of my grandmother, Round Hill was the salve that mended our wounds and sang songs to sooth our souls. I am beyond grateful for our time there, the love and magic we experienced, and we plan to come home soon.

One love, xx
Jessica

Tell Us Yours