The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Please allow me a little space in your valuable newspaper to share a few words with your reading audience.

Ever since the passing of the hurricane Dorian, my heart has been touched with the thought that I should make a short motivational contribution to this country and all who might wish to read it.

I thank you for your kind consideration.

THE GREAT EQUALISER

Every human being is equal in God’s sight. When The Great I Am sets out his ruling, no man or woman is greater than another. This fact was made clear during the passing of the storm Dorian.

Prior to that storm, can we deny that class was evident? Yes we had the people living like kings and queens, and yet there was another group of people who lived in The Mud. Can you believe that name? The Mud. How is it that we as a people did not considered this? Could we have not changed that name?

My computer’s Thesaurus lists the name Mud as Mire, Sludge, Muck, filth, Dirt and Grime Yes, The Mud was where many of our sisters and brothers resided once upon a time. Who changed that? The Great Equaliser.

During that hurricane the rich, the poor, the good, the bad the pretty and the ugly were all caught in the hands of The Great Equaliser. Say what you like, Call it what you may. No man had the power to question, fight, deny or deter the power of The Great Equaliser. Every man, woman and beast, simply ran for cover. Simply no match for The Great Equaliser.

After the storm passed, everyone has had to take a good look at themselves and see themselves as they should. You are no better than the person standing near you. The rich, the poor, and everyone in between had one thing on their minds. I want to live.

The things you possessed that made you think that you were better than anyone else, has proven to be nothing but vanity like King Solomon stated in the Bible. (All is vanity).

I truly sympathise with all who have lost loved ones during the storm in Grand Bahama and Abaco.

But now, let’s look for that silver lining behind that dark cloud. Bahamians, let’s transform and build The Bahamas.

Let us show the world the manner of people Bahamians really are. We are kind, decent and loving people. In all things we give God thanks.

The following is just a bit of food for thought. Something my Father Lincoln Maycock taught me 50 years ago. He may have written it or learned it from someone else.

Nevertheless, six months before he died he gave me a manuscript copy to pass on to my children. I wish to share it with the world.

LET US BE KIND

Let us be kind. The way is long and lonely

And human hearts are asking for this blessing only That we be kind

We may not know the grief

that men may borrow

We cannot see the souls

Storms swept by sorrow

But love can shine upon the way today, tomorrow Let us be kind

LET US BE KIND,

Around the world the tears of time are falling

And for the love and loss those human hearts are calling

Let us be kind

To the aged and the youth

Let gracious words be spoken

Upon the wheel of pain

So may wearied lives are broken

We live in vain

Who do no tender token

Let Us Be Kind.

AL MAYCOCK JOHNSON

Nassau,

September 25, 2019.