Eighty-six-year-old Hilda Edwards and her twin brother Ricta were happy to be able to celebrate their birthday together last Sunday.
The twins, who live next door to each other at Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice, are the only surviving siblings of six children born to Rosalind McCalmon and Emanuel Edwards. Hilda had six children of her own, four of whom are still alive, and she currently lives with her granddaughter, Marla Semple. Ricta and his 75-year-old wife of more than 50 years, Joycelyn, have four children. The twins, who were born and raised at Hopetown, both attended the Hopetown Congregational Primary.
Ricta acquired a skill in carpentry from his godfather and was soon building houses on his own. He was also employed with the government as a contractor for seven years.
Hilda and Ricta, who are almost inseparable, recalled having a lot of fun while growing up. Hilda, who was a bit quiet during the interview, laughed when her brother recalled that she was a “little tomboy” and used to beat him up. “But she stopped beating me after ah get strong because she couldn’t manage me any more,” he said. He also said Hilda represented her school at athletic competitions and won many prizes.
Hilda said their mother raised them single-handedly from a tender age. She also recalled that they helped her to tend to the rice and provision farms and, though it was hard work, they enjoyed it. Ricta said their mother was a strict disciplinarian who would “bend our heads on her feet and spank us when we misbehaved.” He said he did not regret getting a few lashes and is grateful to his mother for bringing them up straight.
In comparing their childhood days with present day, Ricta suggested that one of the reasons that children behaved in unruly fashion is because they “are spared the rod.” He also said that he is “sorry for today’s youths. You can’t even talk to them. They smoke the weed and ah don’t know what would become of them.”
The twins told Stabroek News that other than having “poor sight and a little pain” they are quite healthy. This, Ricta was quick to add, is because they care for themselves and “eat right.” Recently Hilda had undergone surgery for glaucoma and Ricta for cataract. Hilda and Ricta, who both used to attend church regularly, say they are unable to go now because of their sight problems, but the church members would visit often to conduct prayers with them. And that was is how they celebrated their birthday, with church members and relatives.
