Dear Editor,
Last week, a scene Guyanese are au fait with, uncannily replayed itself as if choreographed by an unseen hand.
A large group of friends congregated at the rear of a motor vehicle. Instead of the customary open car trunk, the aperture was the rear door of an SUV model. The euphonic sound of distinct Guyanese accents filled the immediate surroundings. There was a mixture of mirth and solemnity and the sources of the voices were well attired in dark suits and black dresses.
The tableau included red plastic cups, an ice bucket, and several soft drinks (chasers) which corralled a large El Dorado White occupying the limelight position. This scene was set between 6:30 and 7:30 pm, last Tuesday evening, in bright sunshine, in the parking lot of a funeral home in Brampton, Ontario. Those present had come to pay their last respects to a former colleague. As the spirit was carefully dispensed, several spouses – no doubt, designated drivers also – captured the farewell moment on their smartphones, as the mourners raised their cups in unison and toasted their deceased comrade: “To Timmy…”
Observing the entire scenario, I was struck by the camaraderie. These folks, including one person from Alberta, had obviously not had such a moment in quite a while. They were all former employees of a staple Guyanese financial institution which helps many fulfil the dream of owning their home.
As my friend and I departed, leaving the crew to reminisce about their now passed buddy and do their ‘catching up,’ my friend could not help but reflect sadly on what he had just witnessed. Several factors leapt out immediately. There was genuine affinity and joy among those gathered, despite the sadness of the occasion. Every ethnicity was represented and the average age was under 55 years, making it a true Guyanese gathering.
Here they were now scattered in the Diaspora using the skills honed, and knowledge acquired back home to contribute to the further enhancement of the already developed world. One can only wonder how many more pockets like this exist, where our most vital resource, our people, are scattered like seeds in the wind across the globe.
Oh, what might have been Guyana today, had we been blessed with visionary leaders of unquestionable integrity whose priority was nation building instead of fulfilling their own egotistical dreams.
Yours sincerely,
(Name and address supplied)
