The 13,000-mile journey of rebuilding

In Jamaica, the seemingly endless coils of asphalt that wind through valleys and along the sea remind us of more than just geography. The island’s road network stretches to almost 21,000 kilometres of roads, of which over 15,000 kilometres are paved. That figure is often translated to about 13,000 miles in total length, or roughly 9,300 miles of paved roads. To circumnavigate the island via major routes may take about 14–16 hours with a few stops.

This winding network is more than infrastructure; it is a metaphor for our lives. Each stretch of road, each crag of mountain pass, each switchback along the coast mirrors the perseverance required in our daily journeys. We embark, we traverse, we pause, we continue.

Over the years, hurricanes have battered us, leaving scars on our homes, our communities, and our hearts. Yet, like the resilient paths that criss-cross our island, we press on. As we repair broken routes, clearing, rebuilding, and restoring, we also restore hope, rebuild community, and reconnect with the strength that carries us toward new horizons.

When we rebuild, whether it is a fallen wall, a disrupted routine, a shaken dream, we recall the highway crews, the engineers, the communities working together to reconnect places. We recall that the longest roads are travelled one step at a time. The winding roads of Jamaica teach us that the network is only strong when each link is repaired, each detour overcome, each obstacle addressed.

So, as we give thanks this season, let us give thanks not only for the easy bends and smooth stretches, but also for the curves and climbs and detours. Let us vow to keep driving, to keep pursuing our goals even when the road is long, even when the weather darkens, even when the journey asks for more than we thought we had. Because, ultimately, our lives are journeys, networks of relationships, dreams, challenges, and victories.

The road may be long, the challenges may be difficult, but preparation and steadfast focus on your goals are necessary to complete the journey of life. Live and be happy in all that you do.

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com