Did any of it make a difference?

When you are long retired from the hurly-burly, you become more reflective. So looking back I wonder whether anything I have done is of any real significance. Take some examples.

I worked at a high level in the Guyana and Caribbean sugar industry for over 50 years, but, honestly, what difference did that abundance of work make? Very often it was exciting and worthwhile at a personal level. But in the great scheme of things I very much doubt that it all mattered much.

I played tennis at international level for a long time and won national and regional championships – soon forgotten as all but absolutely outstanding sporting achievements are. Again what marvellous times one had but that only proves that it is the journey that counts and not wins or losses that vanish like morning mist.

I took part as Editorial Assistant in the far-reaching labours of the West Indian Commission in 1991-92 – and have lived to see its report Time For Action steadily