A reflection on the past few weeks

IT is frightening the fast pace at which this year is going. My original plan for the second quarter was to be out of Guyana for Easter because of a project I am working on. Events were already in the planning stages in Capetown and Durban, but somehow, at the beginning of February, I started feeling the urge to be in my hometown for Easter, so I advised to have the events later this year. I other things that were necessary for the next few days and I surprisingly enjoyed it because it is not one of my favourite things to do.

Sunday morning I was anxiously awaiting fish broth at Upper Level which is one of my favourite restaurants on the beach. I had my phone in the same pocket as my money and my money fell on the sand when I took the phone out. A guy I had not seen in years tapped me on the shoulder, telling me my money was on the sand. I hugged him, telling him it feels good to know that my hometown still feels like a family looking out for each other.

After having breakfast, I felt a compelling urge to go into the water with my clothing. I decided it would be unfair to get into a taxi with wet clothing then I saw Brian with his bike. After immersing myself in the water, I requested a drop home, and he said “no problem “.These little things reminded me that Bartica still possesses the elements I experienced as a child. After getting home from the beach I heard the worship from the LightHouse Assembly and got dressed in 10 minutes and was in church in less than three minutes because it is a stone’s throw away from my house.

When I looked at the pic with my handsome nephew and I in church, I realised it was another day without drawing on my eyebrows. Interacting with Pastor Rita and other members of the congregation is always special. Almost everyone was asking when my mom was coming back to Bartica because they missed her. My mom is so kind-hearted and caring and I am not surprised so many people long to be in her presence. My beautiful mom is still grieving for my brother and dad, who died 11 months ago and she never went back after the funeral. We all grieve in different ways and maybe it is easier for her not to be in the environment that reminds her of them.

After church, I went to the regatta which is a place I always meet my former students, family and friends. I did not think that the grass track would have been so exciting and I was intrigued by the performance of a rider from Georgetown. I believe he can go international with the right sponsorship, and I am optimistic his dream will become a reality. I passed briefly at the hat show at the bandstand on the beach.

SEE PAGE XVII

I was super excited to chat with my favourite li - am happy that I stayed because it was one of my best Easter weekends.

The positive energy started from Parika on Good Friday with a wonderful greeting from familiar faces (like Gary Jordan, who sometimes refuses to take payment from me for the ride to Bartica) and some I have not seen in a while. My buddy Natasha joined me on this trip to experience Easter week and have her creative jewellery collection on show. Being met by the welcome team at the Bartica stelling with the wonderful steel pan music in the background set the momentum for a wonderful regatta weekend.

While at the stall a young man noticed that my sneakers’ lace was untied and he willingly volunteered to tie my lace. We went shopping for some swimsuits, sunscreen and the