I AM experiencing mixed emotions at the start of the last of 2021. 2020 had a record number of deaths (not all COVID) including my dad and we were afraid that 2021 was following closely. I cried so much at the virtual funeral service for Chris Bassoo. I met Chris when he came to Guyana to introduce Tagg TV and we stayed in contact. His vision was out of the box and he shared some very creative ideas. He exuded confidence and contagious optimism to connect with people. He always encouraged me on my journey which he understood because we are both dreamers who find a way to make our dreams reality. Even while he was stuck in Brazil during the pandemic we chatted on messenger. He shared a short story in the 365 Invaluable Life Experiences and this is an excerpt from his story:

“This is the first time in my life I have talked with my partner so much. I have learned so much more about myself and I can see both my good side and bad habits. This isolation has really caused me to pause and reflect. I am very grateful that we have our health and happiness, and I am grateful for our future!”
That was the last word in that story and from the content of our conversation, it seemed like a very bright future. I looked at this life body and thought of the high-energy, larger-than-life character I got to know. Myles Munroe said the richest place is the burial ground and Chris is certainly taking some golden idea nuggets with him. He was not a person to give up and he would have fought until the end. Every death reminds us that none of us gets out of here alive. I was home alone and my mic was muted so no one could have heard and at one point I could not stop crying because I cried for many reasons. I looked at his mom Cheryl and I saw a familiar expression that reminded me of my mom at my brother Sherwin’s funeral.  I remembered my foster dad, my brother, my friend Denise and a friend (Mark Rhodius) who was buried on the same day in Bartica.

As a teenager growing up in Bartica I love going to the cinema on weekends and Mark bought my tickets many times. The same day my friend Sean’s younger sister died and my very good friend  (over 30 years) Nickey Greenidge’s father died of COVID. The Greenidges are like family and this news is devastating news. When I look at Stacy standing there looking at the man she loved, it broke my heart. She also shared an inspiring story in the compilation book. I am so touched by her compelling words which reflect on the kind of relationship she shared with Chris and I feel convicted to share a part with you:
“I am grateful to be in a loving relationship with a man who didn’t think twice about stepping up to look after our daughter and me while I recovered from a C-section. When COVID-19 hit a month later and we were stranded in Brazil, he continued to take care of us. I have never seen a man look after a baby from bathing, changing feeding and taking her everywhere he goes. When he is on business calls, he holds her and rocks her so I can rest. He bathed me when I couldn’t and didn’t hesitate to make sure he cleaned the hotel room and organised food and went grocery shopping when I couldn’t, so I could rest after my many hours of breastfeeding. He got down on his knees to wash clothes in a bucket because laundromats were closed due to COVID-19.”

I decided as the evening was approaching to lighten this heavy day. Luise Armstong said, “Music is life “ and I felt like listening to jazz music, so  Julian’s was the place to hear the super talented Herbie  Marshall.
I am a fan of live music, especially while sipping a glass of red wine in a nice atmosphere. I remember Herbie from the Sidewalk  Café days.  Proverbs 18:16 tells us that our gifts will make room for us.

Our gifts also take us places and Herbie is proof of that because his music has taken him to over 100 countries. I reconnected with him earlier this year when Mr. and Mrs. Marshall(relatives)  hosted an event at their beautiful Anira Street cottage. He is great at interacting with people and that evening he was chatting with John who was visiting Guyana. It was a pleasant surprise to see him and John singing some of the old hit songs. It reminded me of the shows on the islands where the tourist join the performers.  I was telling  Herbie, Steve, and John during the break how much I enjoyed the session and John started singing Old Rugged Cross and Herbie started playing the guitar and I joined in, although I am the worst singer. We found out that John wrote many gospel songs and sang one for us and a few other gospel songs. This was an amazing experience and I remember the people I love and care about who are no longer with us.
Every life has a story and I would love to read Herbie’s book in the near future as we continue this beautiful journey called LIFE BEYOND THE RUNWAY.