Last Saturday could be characterized as a trilogy of events that touched every aspect of our emotions. There was a period of sadness and mourning; there was a period of love and romance; and there was a period of comedic entertainment. Many persons may not have had the opportunity to experience this “roller coaster” of emotions in the way that I did — but it is all a part of life and living in Anguilla. At one time there can be sadness and pain; at another joy and happiness; and still at another “rolling on the floor” laughter and amusement — often all on the same day.
For some of us it started at Rey’s Funeral Home where the ceremony for the earthly departure of the late Romario Richardson began. Here was a young man cut down in the prime of his life by yet another senseless and callous act of gun violence in our small community. The mourners processed in cars and on motorbikes through the George Hill Village, where his mother was born, to St. the Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church for his memorial service and interment. There the tributes and the words of comfort provoked many a tear from the already swollen eyes and faces of his family, relatives and friends. There was sadness everywhere, and there were many stories told from the dais – and still more in quiet corners of the Church grounds where the massive crowds “spilled out” to pay their last respects.
What could be more tragic than parents having to bury their child because of such an inhuman act? What can be more tragic than for a community that was once acclaimed for its atmosphere of peace and tranquility to become a place where gun violence and crime has become rampant? What of his wife; his child; his parents; his siblings — will they ever be the same? It was these thoughts that occupied my mind as I looked on and sneakily gazed upon the faces especially of those who seemed to hope that it was all a dream — even a nightmare. Nay! A tragedy for loved ones; the village; the community; our island; our hopes; our aspirations; our future — Anguilla! When will it end?
I would hope that every such tragic event in our communities could be the last; that no more mothers will grieve for the loss of a child to such tragic circumstances; that our young men will turn away from guns as a solution to their differences and bring an end to the cycle of violence; and that we can all become involved in the solution to this scourge of violence as a community. But I do realize that we must do more than hope — we must act to end this tragic course. Yet, for now, I can only extend my deepest condolences to Romario’s wife and child, his parents, his siblings, his relatives and friends. May his soul rest in peace.
Yet, for some of us, it started at St Mary’s Anglican Church where the groom, handsomely attired on his 66th birthday in a well-fitted white suit, sat patiently awaiting the arrival of his bride. A black limousine arrives and a blushing bride, in an elegant white bridal gown, steps out and sashays through the arcade of bride’s maids and groomsmen making her way up the aisle to stand next to the lucky groom. All the while Maestro Lennox Vanterpool is tickling the ivories with the melodious strains of an organ prelude befitting the occasion. And the stage is set as the sonorous tone of Bishop Errol Brooks delivers the scriptural sentences, and his baritone voice then rings out as the congregation joins in to the traditional hymn: “Love Divine All Love Excelling”. Love indeed — Romance for sure!
It was the Wedding Ceremony of Mr. James “Dun” Henderson Sasso and Elsa Ruth Bryson. A couple that has been in love for over forty years — a relationship that produced ten children and tons of love and caring. They not only cared for their children but others as well. The Bishop in his homily paid tribute to the couple and their children who were all present and involved in making the ceremony special for their parents. In fact, the children were the ones who determined that their parents should so celebrate their relationship and establish this milestone in their life together. As usual, Bishop Brooks in his presentation was able to bring honesty and sobriety to the moment and joy and happiness to the occasion. The ceremony was beautiful and the atmosphere was thick with the genuine outpouring of love.
The reception at Doracks Place was likewise enjoyable. The feast was sumptuous and tasty and the famous entertainer Boss provided the music. It was all well organized and efficient. The love was not only evident in the family — but the relatives and the entire Farrington Village seemed to be a part of the love affair. Every single testimonial during the toast session painted a picture of a couple that was meant for each other and definitely in love. Indeed, very few wedding events could boast such local celebrities like Bishop Brooks as the Officiant; Maestro Lennox Vanterpool as the Organist; Boss as the Entertainer; the Commissioner of Police as the Master of Ceremonies; and a former Chief Minister (Hon. Osbourne Fleming) as the Best Man. It was a wonderful occasion. A true story of love and romance — seldom found in paperback novels!
Dun and Elsa appeared to be very comfortable and happy with their special day but, equally, their children and grandchildren were no less satisfied. I am certain that I was not alone in noticing the genuine simplicity and humility of it all. There were no airs; no pretentiousness; no artificialness; no inhibitions. It was all for real! It occurred to me that here was a couple that worked together to provide for their family with scarce resources — yet they were able to cultivate an atmosphere of happiness, contentment and love. As the old people used to say: “A little with contentment goes a long way!” And I also thought to myself: “In many relationships couples divorce after forty years — but here was a couple marrying after forty years!” Sometimes a good love story can bring tears. I did glimpse some watery eyes in the room.
Many persons like to end their day with a good Comedy Show. Saturday Night Live has been around for several years providing such release on the TV. Those with the premium channels can also tune in to Comedy Central or surf until you find a good situation comedy on some other station. I used to enjoy when Radio Anguilla brought on Paul Keens Douglas at one o’clock in the afternoon. We all like a good laugh. Unfortunately, because I attended both the funeral and the wedding on Saturday I apparently missed a good comedy show on Upbeat Radio. I am seldom inclined to tune in to this particular program on Upbeat, especially in recent times. But based on reports I may have missed a real fete. I was told that I was the topic of the show and though I am flattered by the attention — I am beginning to wonder who is writing some of the scripts for these productions. One of the listeners to the show called me up the next morning and asked me whether I heard the Three Stooges last night. The question took me by surprise because that person knows quite well that I mainly look at Sports and News on Television and to the best of my recollection the Stooges used to come on during the early mornings. It was only after some further prodding that I realized that he was talking about three persons on the Upbeat Radio Show.
Apparently this year is the beginning of the silly season and a number of the supporters of the present Government are running scared. It is obvious that they are following a pattern of behaviour set by the Chief Minister in his various Xmas and New Year’s messages. The AUM has decided that the recipe for victory in the next general election is to again discredit the Leader of the AUF. It is my understanding that the “Stooges” went so far as to produce “some” tape allegedly by the former Chief Minister Fleming for that purpose. It is yet to be determined when the tape was made. I was also told that another one of the “Stooges” read out a portion of one of my articles in which I made a series of predictions for 2014, and he concluded that I must be privy to some facts or information to make such statements. He further went on to say that if I did not reveal my sources I am biased. One of the “brighter lights” among the “Stooges” was then reported to have declared that I am singing for my supper. It was at that point that my friend told me that he fell on the floor in an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
I then asked my friend why did he have such an animated response. He said: “But General, you don’t realize who de Three Stooges are? The Host is on de Anglec Board; one guest is on de Social Security Board; and de other one is on the Water Authority Board! All uh dem singing for dey supper!” I am not sure that I would have had the same cynical response like my friend, even though I have noticed that many of the AUM loud mouths are beneficiaries of appointments of one kind or another. Neither would I have found it as humorous as he did because I am more concerned about what is happening to the Statutory Bodies as a whole. There is absolutely no stability on any single one of them. Not the Tourist Board; not the Water Authority; not the Social Security Board; not Anglec; not the Health Authority; and not the Port Authority. And the instability in most cases stems from the Government’s lack of understanding of the responsibilities of Board Members as well as their tendency to interfere into and, in some cases, micro-manage the Boards.
Already decisions by many of these Boards and intervention by the Government have led to litigation and threats of litigation by a number of persons including former employees. Some of these matters have resulted in large settlements from the Consolidated Fund. But the time is swiftly approaching when Board Members may be sued in their personal capacity for some of the ill-advised actions they have taken. I am not sure whether Board Members are aware of the hazards of their appointments. Perhaps they are hanging on to the false security that they are insulated from legal action by virtue of their position as a Board Member. If so they may be in for a rude awakening — and that is no joke! After my analysis, my friend still seemed to find it comical — I was reminded of what the older folks used to say: “What’s joke to the butcher is death to the animal!”
