Nothing reminds you of your mortality more than the unexpected death of a loved one, friend or even someone in the public eye.
Hence after a way too long hiatus I have been shocked back into action and must apologise sincerely for my absence. Thank you for the emails enquiring about my well being and I promise there will never be such a long break again.
This blog is dedicated to Rita Elaine Warner (1921 – 2012), Kelvin Ezekiel ‘Cally’ Webb (1965-2012), and Masud Sidiki (1975 – 2012).
Rita Warner sadly passed away 25th April after short illness, however at the age of 90 I understand she said she was tired and was ready to go home.
Rita was born and died on the island of St. Kitts and her life was certainly an inspiration to me. If any of you have read ‘The third life of Grange Copeland’, by Alice Walker, then Rita’s life was certainly a version of that.
Rita spent her early life teaching at various schools in St.Kitts whilst raising her seven children (three of whom proceeded her in death). She continued to teach until they were grown and had all immigrated to England and theUnited states.
When she retired from her paid job as a teacher she volunteered at the Seventh- day Adventist Primary school for a number of years, however in her sixties Rita decided to move to the United States looking for a bit of excitement and to be closer to her children. She lived and worked there for 12 years, but in her mid-seventies the extreme winter weather began to take a toll on her so she returned to her island in the sun and indeed returned volunteering at the Adventist school. After a few years Rita began to get itchy feet again and decided she wanted to travel as much of the world as she could in whatever time she had left.
In the last fifteen years Rita’s travelling has taken her to five continents where she visited places such as Pompeii, Zambia, Suez Canal, Greece and England. These trips included 8 cruises. Rita was well loved and respected, she not only gave of herself to help others but she was also an example of how one should enjoy and seize the opportunities that life has to offer.
Cally sadly passed away suddenly on 29th April only two days after burying his mum, which left his local community in Leeds in absolute shock and disbelief. No matter what the cause, we have to accept that his time had come and he was called home. To say Cally was a good friend would certainly be an exaggeration, but his death certainly hit me like a bolt of lightening as the last time I saw Cally was only a few months ago when I bumped into him at Cabin after not seeing him for close to fifteen years. Cally’s embraced me like a long lost friend and I felt his sincere warmth, we sat and chatted there a while, basically catching up.
I remember the joy that came from Cally as he told me that his life had maybe taken some unwanted turns but that was in the past and now he was just happy and grateful that he had the chance to be his mother’s main carer. He spoke of the joy it brought to his life to spend time with her ‘now in her golden years’ ensuring that all her needs were taken care of. Cally said that between that and caring for his own family his life was complete for now.
I don’t think I’d really had a conversation with Cally since ‘SaturdaySchool’ however in that short exchange I remember feeling quite proud of the person he had become and indeed telling him so. I know Cally will be sadly missed and for his family the loss of two family members is a lot to bear but I can tell you the pain will pass but the memories never will.
Kittitian singer, songwriter and musician Kevin “Masud Sadiki” sadly took his own life at the age of 37 on 21st May.
He was described as one of the St.Kitt’s most versatile and talented entertainers and in April 2010 Masud was one of a handful of carribean artists selected to represent the United Nation’s “Unite to End Violence Against Women” campaign, touring places like Palestine, the United Kingdom and South America.
The St.Kitts & Nevis Observer stated “the people of St.Kitts are mourning the loss of a their musical icon – a reggae singer, a calypsonian, soca artist and just a great, great individual. His contribution to the entertainment and tourism sector of the Federation will not be forgotten, and certainly we should all work to ensure that his memory is indeed celebrated.”
I was fortunate to see Masud perform here in London a few years ago and it was refreshing to hear a young black man in this day and age singing such positive and uplifting songs including Courage to Change, Stitch in Time and Love For me Momma.
Denzil Douglas, the PM of St.Kitts commented, “Masud’s talent was enormous and his personal standards exemplary. The lyrics that flowed from his heart and soul were no ordinary lyrics. He made us quickly realize that his was an elevating spirit that encouraged us and inspired us as human beings to be better and more sublime beings than we otherwise might be.”
Also Lindsey Grant, leader of the opposition stated, “I will not only miss him personally as a friend but as an individual who gave much to the development of his community and his country. I will dearly miss Kevin as he was an inspiration to me and an entire nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Masud’s death clearly was unexpected and a close friend of the artist indicated that Masud suffered from an extended bout of depression, a side of him most never saw as the performer was described as an extremely positive and vibrant young man with an infectious zest for life.
(Courtesy of the St. Kitts & Nevis Observer)
So remember what I said in my earlier blog (Black or White or Shades of Grey) –‘I urge you to talk to your friends, brothers, sisters when you feel their demeanor has changed. Sometimes the demons we carry inside catch up with us and persuade us to come over to the other side, but your voice can always be louder more persuasive. Promise me you will keep an eye on the people you love.’
Cally and Masud went too soon and it’s not up to us to reason why, yes they were young but sometimes the young have to leave us prematurely.
So in tribute to Rita, Cally and Masud I want to borrow a phrase from Arundati Roy ‘Promise me you will live whilst you’re alive and die only when you’re dead’ !!
The poem I’m giving you this week is one that was circulated over the new year which I found uplifting so decided to keep to share with you. Please have a look in my poetry section and read – The Daily Survival Kit
And finally here are the next two pages in my novel ‘Justice For All’. As you’ve had such a long wait for these pages you can look back over my earlier blogs to see the previous pages.
As always, comments please?
Justice For All (Pages 9-10)
Chapter 2
Third fight in as many days was leaving Robin wondering if there was any point in trying to save the relationship. The atmosphere between him and Russell had not been great for as long as he could remember. In fact after the first year, it had been going down hill fast. They’ve been together for three years now.
“It’s your job.” Russell shouted at Robin out of the blue, when Robin commented how down he had been looking lately.” You work so hard at the firm and when you do bother to come home you have absolutely no energy left for me. We don’t go anywhere, we hardly have any conversation, heck we don’t even play Scrabble anymore.”
“I’m a partner in the firm, I have to put my share in. I said I would try to find some time to get away this year.” Robin replied. On that occasion it seemed to appease Russell, but six months later, no holiday in sight Russell’s patience was wearing thin.
They were sitting in the lounge watchingCoronation Streetwhen Russell managed to steer the conversation round to ‘the state of their relationship’. Russell made his way over from the arm chair, and sat next to Robin on the sofa, he didn’t want it to be confrontational.
“Russell, I’ve been trying to create a window for us to get away. It’s just that…”
“Robin I’m not looking for a window anymore,” he tried to say it as clam as possible,
“it’s me or Richards, Rogers and Riley.”
“What do you mean?” Robin asked.
“I mean, lets throw it all in and travel round the world for a year or two, we’ll start with my islands as I have not been home in awhile, then see where that takes us. Come on Robin, it’ll be good for us.”
“I can’t do that. What about the firm?” Robin said.
“The firm, the firm, I’m so sick of that excuse. Please just be honest do you really want to be in this relationship anymore? Hello,” he gestured as if knocking on his head. ”Reality check. When people are in a relationship they make time for each other. I mean, I’m no expert, but that’s what I’ve heard,” then he stormed out and even though Russell had done this many times during their arguments Robin somehow felt this time was different. Robin knew he was right it had been well over a month since he agreed that he would take a break but his client list at work was getting longer and now that Josephine was going to be away it would be at least another two weeks before he could even take off a couple of days.
Josephine was sitting staring out the window when Robin arrived at 7.30 am. She was determined to bring all of her cases up to date before leaving to play Miss Private Eye in St. Kitts to progress her case.
“Steve throw you out of your bed this morning”, he teased as he entered her office.
“I could say the same to you. Is it your case, or your life that’s put that look on your face?” she asked. She had known him for twelve years now and could read him like a book.
“Both, I have a friend of a friend coming in this morning to see if I will take on a mental health case for her. I don’t know any details, but all I know about mental health is the film ‘One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest’. Can you help?”
“No but Parminder’s, background is mental health” Josephine offered.
“I’ll pull her in then, at least she can listen to the facts then bring me up to speed when she’s left.”
“Good luck,” she replied. And she meant it. Although Parminder was just a trainee, granted a second year trainee, she never offered her assistance in any case unless she could be the lead. She knew her stuff all right, and Josephine was convinced that she would make a good solicitor, but unfortunately that meant giving due regard to her ego by stroking it every so often, not to mention status, she took every opportunity to remind people that she intended on becoming a partner. She was a Hindu and on her first day she made sure she told everyone that she was from the highest cast.
“I’m Brahmin and I intend to marry only a Brahmin” Parminder announced when Errol invited her out for a drink on her second day.
Josephine settled back in her chair thinking she would catch up with Robin at lunch time to get the low down on what was happening with Russell. She had to start getting a mental list together of what needed to be done before she left for St. Kitts.
It would be a strange trip for her, obviously her primary reason for travelling was to check out the information that her client had given her, which was not very much at all. He just kept on saying that it was a case of mistaken identity, which was nothing to go on. Josephine thought she would just have to go out there and find out exactly who he was taking the rap for. She hoped her connections would not be a hindrance. Which lead to her other concerns.
She had not visited for more than ten years, and she was very fond of her grandfather, after her many visits, they had become quiet close. How she wondered how he would receive her after the many promises to visit, which never materialised. She would have to set time aside to spend passing the time of the day with him on the porch. Best of all, she would at least be able to have some sort of rest and put all her ideas about leaving the practice and being at home full-time into perspective. For now she had to get her cases in order.
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