Beautiful Mind

(Tribute from Joan Cambridge)
IN the more than seven decades I’ve been alive, few people have made an impression on my mind to match Raschid Osman; his memory lingers…It’s that intrinsic sense of aesthetics he possessed; his quiet dignity and facility being an exemplar of the mantra advocated by Max Erhmann in his Desiderata poem –“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others…”
Raschid Osman was a civilized gentleman.
When we talked on the telephone, he’d encouraged me to write for The Chronicle; why would I want to write for that dishonest rag that nobody buys, I asked him and incredibly, Raschid Osman responded: “I don’t blame you.”
With the advent of a Coalition for National Unity Government, life in Guyana and The Chronicle have been restored to an acceptable state.
Last time I saw him briefly after thirty years or so, was at a Roy Brummell book launching last Monday at Moray House; he looked frail. I mentioned that Godfrey Wray had suggested he should interview me for the paper but he didn’t seem to be aware of this till I got this E-mail from him –
Hi;
Just got the great news that you are considering doing some writing for us. It’s an exciting thought. It would be a good idea for me to do a piece on you to sort of introduce you to our readers. Even if you don’t agree to write for us, I am still keen on doing a story on you. I remember you as one of the most exciting woman editors ever.
Please contact me and let’s see if we could do the interview on Thursday this week.
Thanks
Raschid
PS: Remember you enjoyed my LP with Heifetz playing Gershwin?

My response to this was –
Hi, Thursday it is, then; tell me more…can’t wait…
A LUTA CONTINUA!
P.S….enjoyed every one of those soothing ‘mid-morning melodies’; I enjoyed you, Raschid, remember?

Then a note to reschedule –
Hi,
Sorry about this. Just learned that the Sunday Editor will be away. It’s already late in the week and I am pressed. Could we make the interview early next week? Monday or Tuesday would be fine.
I’m sure you understand.
Thank you
Raschid

Of course I understand Raschid anytime you choose like ‘Sancho’ to call me “…midnight, backdam self – anywhere” I will answer the opportunity to sit down with you and recall that euphoric time; rewind with you and review the idyll of those years we shared at the Guyana Graphic with Godfrey Wray and Eleazer Watson, Montague Smith and Carl Blackman, Sybille Hart, Frank Campbell, Rickey Singh, Hubert Williams, Winston Oudkerk, Donald Periana, Duke Lambert and many more; some still with us, others whom you’ve transitioned to join in the realm of ancestors; to celebrate the way we were.
….wish I could have told him this; I meant to say it to him on Monday or Tuesday when we met for that interview; but alas, death cancels all engagements. However, thankfully, memory lives on in infinity.
Rashid Osman’s brilliant, beautiful mind was marinated in the music he loved and shared with us in his inspirational ‘Mid-morning Classics’ on the radio. I am happy to hear the program has been resuscitated.
Rest placidly as was your wont, my brother.