Dear Editor,
For my 81st birth anniversary, it was a delight sharing breakfast and brunch with both men and women at three of our senior citizens homes in Georgetown. At these homes, I had the opportunity to chat with the senior citizens which was very stimulating and emotional. What was remarkable was the high degree of care and affection shown by the caregivers and matrons.
All of the homes visited were spotlessly clean and tidy. The residents were well taken care of and compliments are extended both to the matrons and caregivers. At the Archers Home, the matron is Ms Olive Williams and her band of helpers. At the Gentlewomen’s Home, it was Ms Ruby Cummings, and there we found a former confidential secretary to the late Forbes Burnham, Ms Winnie Agard. At the St Vincent De Paul Home, the matron was Ms Barbara Fraser, there we met folks who remembered me from my early visits to the North West in the 1960s.
Later that day, at the instance of Mr and Mrs Tony Kissoon, we shared lunch with about one hundred families in the Tiger Bay and Albouystown areas.
I would like to thank my Personal Assistant, Shivaughn Lachish, Ken Haney, Sgt Marston McInroy, Wesley Dowers and Ms Jeannette Lovell, whose culinary skills were greatly appreciated by all.
These homes deserve all the help possible as there were some complaints that light and water bills presented a burden. For my part, we will ensure that these buildings are exempted from property taxes. We will also appeal to utilities such as GPL and GWI to do likewise. These homes allow our senior citizens to maintain a certain quality of life in keeping with President David Granger’s promise of a good life for all.
As a result of the conversations with the senior citizens, I share below this statement sent to me by Joseph D Oliver, for many years, our Honorary Counsel in California.
“Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done, and do not try to blame others. However, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was not Senior Citizens who took:
“The melody out of music; the pride out of a parent; the courtesy out of driving; the romance out of love; the commitment out of marriage; the responsibility out of parenthood; the togetherness out of the family; the learning out of education; the service out of patriotism; the golden rule from some rulers; the naivety scene out of cities; the civility out of behaviour; the refinement out of language; the dedication out of employment; the prudence out of spending; the ambition out of achievement; our God out of government and schools, and we certainly are not the ones who eliminate patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!
“Yes, I am a senior citizen. I am the life of the Party even if it last until 8 or 9 pm, I am very good at opening childproof cans with a hammer. I am awake many hours before my body allows me to get up. I am smiling all the time because I cannot hear a thing you are saying. I am sure everything I can’t find is in a safe secure place somewhere. I am wrinkled, saggy, and lumpy and that’s just my left leg. I am beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Yes, I am a senior citizen and think I am having the time of my life; now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I wouldn’t send it back to them, or maybe, I should send this to all my friends anyway, they won’t remember even if they did send it. Spread their laughter, share their tears, let’s be happy while we’re here.”
Dedicated to those delightful senior citizens I met and those who because of the way they live may not make that score, and to the young, take heed, you’ll get there somehow, someday.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
