Tuesday, 24th November 2020 — It is the wee hours of the morn at nearly 3:00 o’ clock on my magnificent birthday, and I am pondering what words of insight to share with the readers in this week’s commentary. So here go my mind’s thoughts.
On Sunday afternoon and evening, November 22nd, I had a wonderful celebration of life. I spent several hours chatting, dancing, drinking, dining and limin’ at Gwen’s Reggae Grill, on Shoal Bay East, and Everett’s by the Bay in Island Harbour. Family and friends surrounded me – along with people whom I did not know personally. There was a group of young ladies who appeared out of nowhere to celebrate two of their friends’ birthdays. They invited me to join one sister near the band when the musicians played the “Happy Birthday” song. I was delighted to have such camaraderie. It made the occasion even more joyous.
Little did I know what would occur on Monday morning, November 23rd, which disrupted the flow of my day’s pre-planned activities. I awakened that morn glad to be alive and celebrating life the day before my official birth anniversary. On my drive to Crocus Bay for an early morning swim, something punctured one of my tyres. By the time, I arrived at the Bay, it was deflated. It was fortunate that one of my sea partners is a man who offered to change the spare after we went swimming. So, there was no distress over this situation in which I found my vehicle.
After I swam resplendently, I went home and bathed, dressed, then proceeded to go out again to the tyre shop in George Hill to find out if the flattened rubber could be restored. Thanks, be to God, it was reparable and only cost me US$7, which is much less expensive than buying a brand-new tyre. I left there headed west to take care of more business. Spirit guided me to make a pit-stop at Tomac Plaza and visit the lingerie and swimwear shop. It is there where I received the shocking news of the sudden death of Terrad Webster, whom I’ve embraced as my nephew and had just seen the day before. I was told he didn’t wake up that morning, which meant he died sometime during his sleep. My mind couldn’t at first grasp the words which were spoken. I responded to the bearer of this death announcement that I was glad I wasn’t at home when I heard this information because I might have totally lost myself. At least being out on the road, doing errands, kept my mind somewhat distracted and allowed me to refrain from going into full-blown grief mode.
I did not know when I saw Terrad on Sunday afternoon that that would be our last time of seeing each other face to face. Nor did I know that my celebration that day was both of life and death soon to come. Now I wish I had taken more time to chat with him. I didn’t get to say goodbye to this kind, gentle, peaceful, loving, beautiful, exceptional soul who has been a significant member of our Anguilla community and whom I have known since he was a young boy. All my fond memories of Terrad, and good family times together, came flooding back with tears welling in the crevices of my eyes.
My heart mourns Terrad’s passing, yet I know that God is in charge and knew it was his time to depart. I deeply feel the grief of my Sis Gwen, her husband Terrence (Tap), daughters Terraine (Ninnie) and Terrisha – along with the rest of the Webster-Lloyd-Hodge Family and friends who are experiencing trauma and grief with Terrad’s unexpected demise. We went through the death of Shaquille (Piña) Carty five months ago, and now we are hard hit again with another of our young men moving on to higher realms.
As the Scripture, James 4:14 says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We must rejoice in our lives every day and remember to tell our loved ones how much we appreciate them. Because they may be here today, but gone tomorrow. God be with us as we grieve our aching hearts.
_____________
Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media — Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
