Over the past week we have buried two young men who died as a result of a vehicular accident on the Long Road. No one is ever truly prepared for death. While we accept that it is inevitable, when it comes it still devastates us and turns our world upside down. Yet, there is something mysterious about death. Perhaps this is so because we cannot experience it and live to tell about it. No doubt as a result of this unknown, death has been the subject of many old wives tales and local folklore which keep children and quite a few grown-ups awake at night. But I am not so much interested in the various theories about death as I am about what lessons have we learnt from death, particularly the death of Sil and Marlon. I believe when tragedy strikes it is important to try to find the lessons in the experience.
I am hopeful that the youth among us would have learnt the importance of being careful about the choices they make. As Anglican Bishop Errol Brooks alluded, in his sermon at Marlon’s funeral, young people believe they are invincible. The death of friends still in their youth, reminds them that this is not so. Sometimes the choices we make result in our death. Not only is this tragic for us, but for our families as well who are left to pick up the pieces and carry on. If they have learnt anything, before engaging in certain activities, young people ought now to think more carefully about the possible consequences of their actions especially if things don’t go exactly as planned.
I believe parents would have learnt that each moment spent with their children is precious. We cannot imagine the grief that must have overwhelmed the parents of Sil and Marlon when they realized that their children were snatched away in an instant. I am sure they would give anything to spend a few more moments with their children. Yet many parents take their children for granted. They are too busy living their own lives – and following their own selfish pursuits – to spend time with their children. While, we expect parents to work to support their families, when this results in neglect of children the line must be drawn. Parents ought to value each moment they have their children with them – and make the best of those moments. When a child is taken by death, your time with them has expired.
Could it be that our communities have learned compassion and togetherness? Sil and Marlon were from two different communities. Yet, on the fateful morning, they were engaged together in an activity they both loved. They were not concerned about who was from east and who was from west. Neither should we. And for the weeks following their deaths, neither did we. The entire country mourned their loss. Families and friends of both young men attended each other’s funeral. There was an outpouring of love and support from communities across Anguilla and this is how it ought to be. These two young men have demonstrated to us, in life and in death, that as a country we can come together for a common purpose. The community rivalries are all unnecessary and petty in the greater scheme of things. They ought to be put aside for the greater good.
If the deaths of Sil and Marlon are not to be in vain, then we all ought to make positive adjustments to our behaviour as a result of this tragic experience. We all ought to live differently in our personal lives, in our family life and with each other generally. While we are still here, it is not too late for us to become better human beings. There is a positive lesson for each of us in the death of these two young men – if we stop and think about it. The lesson may not be exactly the same for each of us, but each of us should pay attention to the lesson.
