A regular Source feature, Undercurrents explores issues, ideas and events as they develop beneath the surface in the Virgin Islands community.
From a merrily unscientific survey conducted a few days before Christmas, indications are that V.I. residents are undaunted by holiday hackers and are, instead, reveling in the spirit of giving.
Yes, the economy is bad. Yes, enormous electricity rate increases have dimmed the lights on outdoor holiday displays. Yes, the fall-out from the Hovensa closing continues to drape St. Croix and cast a shadow over the rest of the territory. Yes, there is anger over public corruption and fear of violent crime.
But if you’d like to see a concerned citizen melt into a surprised, smiling human being, ask him or her the question we posed last week: What’s the best gift you are giving this year?
Electronics seemed to be the most popular goods. But a large number of people favored intangibles. The question was posed to scores of folks, some of them “newsmakers” and some not, all selected at random.
It being Christmas now, it’s safe to reveal the answers.
“Surprises are the best thing” to Tiffany Thompson, who works in a doctor’s office. So she gave her friend a totally unexpected treat, spending the day with her and then paying for the facials they got together. “She’s going through a tough time,” Thompson said, adding she knows how that feels because: “I went through a hard time last year,” she said.
V.I. Water and Power Authority spokeswoman Cassandra Dunn had a similar idea. “A couple of friends” are having challenges right now, she said, one medical and the other family-related. “So I’ve pledged to be more of a support” to both of them and “to give my time and my love to the people in my community.”
Nine-year-old Kenie MacTavious, who attends Gladys Abraham School, was shopping with his mom when he answered the survey. He had to move away from his mother so he could explain that he drew her name for the Secret Santa exchange and is “giving her perfume and a new dress.”
His mom, Vanessa MacTavious, said her best gift is going to her parents this year. Their anniversary is Dec. 31 and it’s a special one, so as a combined anniversary/Christmas present, they are going on a Caribbean cruise. Starting in Puerto Rico, they’ll stop in St. Kitts, St. Martin, Barbados and St. Thomas, she said.
Benny Gibs, who works with Channel 10 and serves as a deacon in his church, was excited about giving his wife an iPhone 5. “She’s getting the latest,” he said. Gibs himself doesn’t even have an old iPhone. “I’m a dinosaur,” he explained.
It’s an iPad and video games for Juel Anderson’s young son. The Bureau of Corrections spokeswoman said she tells him “make a list of five things and you can get three.”
Deanna Willis, an office manager and health worker, said she isn’t much in the spirit this year; her mother has been ill and it seems that there are just too many bad things happening in the world … like the horrific school shooting in Connecticut. But Willis has a 3-year-old daughter who doesn’t understand about all that, and she’s getting a FuzzLuzz to coddle and play with.
Roger Dewey, executive director of the St. Croix Foundation, said the foundation is giving “leadership in education in our community. The board has made a commitment that education reform is going to be a priority,” he said.
On a personal level, Dewey’s best gift this year is a bit unusual; he’s finally following his wife’s wishes and putting assets into a trust for ease of future transitions. “She’s been wanting it, and I haven’t been doing it,” he said.
Lisa Hamilton, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association, also responded both for her organization and for herself. “I don’t want to sound hokey, but we’re giving a little bit of hope,” she said, with a party at the Boys and Girls Club. As for personal presents, Hamilton said, “I’m a big gift card fan” but the best thing will be spending time with visiting family.
Olga Santos, who manages child care and regulatory services at the Human Services Department, can relate. “I’m giving the gift of togetherness,” she said shortly before taking off to visit family in Tennessee.
“This has been a pretty contentious year for me,” said Elections Supervisor John Abramson. And he’s been too busy to keep up the normal ties of friendship. So, he said, “I’m reaching out to people. I go to them” and rekindle good relationships.
Dr. Alfred Heath said the best part of his special gift is the people receiving it. Since he and his late wife, Geri, visited Haiti in 1983, he has been donating time, money, gifts and services to its impoverished people. This year he has sponsored the transport of a trailer full of gifts all donated by “the gracious, generous folks in St. Thomas.”
Dee Baecher-Brown, president of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, didn’t say who was to receive her present, but it could go to any of us. She had a sign made displaying a quote from Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh:
“Promise me that you will always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Happy Holidays!
