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 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 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.

I was super excited to chat with my favourite librarian from Bartica Secondary School Mrs. Jane Daniels. We have not seen each other in years and we had a chance to reminisce about the many times I shared my crazy dreams with her during my school years and she always encouraged me. I still possess many more crazy ideas and dreams and I pray they will manifest if it is God’s will.
I also passed at the burial ground to view my family’s tombs and decided to tour the richest place on earth (burial ground), according to Dr Myles Munroe and saw many familiar names of the young and not-so-young on the tombstones. One of the things that always catches my attention is the dash between the date of birth and the date of death. I often think of what my dash will represent and it is something we all should think of.

I also thought about a poem someone sent me and I will share it with you.

The Dash Poem
By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning…to the end

He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash
Might only last a little while

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

I encourage everyone to ponder on the last question as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.