Dear Editor,
It is at times like these that the slash and daggers of politics and identity and disagreement all peter out into nothingness. Today, I write to share with the president, his family, and the nation during a time of hard human test. I have been there more than once, so I am humble enough to believe that I can share a morsel that might help. I know the pain. I live the blessings too. And so can the president, his ever-present better half, and his family.
By now the First Lady would be tiredly, numbingly familiar with the bewildering, sometimes overwhelming, blur of tests and wires and machines and people and medicines. Procedures and protocols, too. But both she and the president must dig deep and be tireless and face the devil in his den and refuse to give one single solitary inch; not to sickness, not to weakness, not to emptiness. In their quiet way I believe that both of them possess that steeliness of purpose, that sharp clarity of vision that they will overcome with help from above. They need each other today more than ever before; the family needs them; Guyana needs them. And I pray with the rest that they will be blessed with the strength needed now through the indomitable will of those who refuse to be defeated.
People will be loving and caring and well-meaning; strangers will reach out to comfort; wonderful things all. But in the long dark silence of the hours of the night, from those contemplations ushered forth by communications and reliance on the heavens, there comes a transcendent peace when it is needed the most. Reach for it, Mr. President; it is there and yours for the asking as powered by believing. As the spouse, I know of that special grace back then almost a decade ago, and I wish that Mrs. Granger will experience those epiphanies of the soul, when through the faint tick of the clock comes the even fainter touch of angels watching and comforting. With the discernment that flows from faith, there will be during these demanding crucial moments, an unknown strength, a great peace, and an enveloping submission to thy will be done. The rest will follow, as sure as the sun pours forth from beyond the horizon in the Pearl of the Antilles.
The light of day will bring hope and more prayers and wishes; and the heartfelt reminders of fellow sojourners in this journey for discovery, solution, and healing lurking around the drips, dosages, and doctors. It will bring sometimes harsh tastes of the weaknesses of all flesh. And it will bring, also, the fleet messengers of emails and phones, and those other cherubim and seraphim, invisible celestial companions all, that walk with those who never walk alone. This has to be solace and strength at this hour whatever the news, what the reaction, whatever the result. This the commanding and surrendering of the trust and confidence that I (we) never walk alone; that no matter how dark the valley there is a stronger, more powerful presence watching, guiding, caring.
This is what has seen me and others through the stops and starts, the crucible of cruel days and long endless hours of waiting and hoping and believing. There is a soothing saying in this country: belief is relief, no matter the circumstances, no matter the outlook; it is the hallmark of an abiding, mysterious faith. Many can attest to that maxim; they swear by it. I do. Now is the time to be strong through weakness; to rise through the troubles of the times. Tomorrow will be a better day. That I believe; for that I pray. I join with friends and others and say to the president: get well, sir! And to Mrs. Granger: be strong. You will be, both of you.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall