Commendation to PM Browne & his sister Blondel, for being there for their sick mother until the end

Dear Editor,Before I proceed, I want to first extend my condolences to our prime minister, the Hon Gaston Browne & his family for the loss of his mother & the matriarch of the family. Of course may her soul rest in perpetual peace!

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the funeral however, I was privilege to view it online.

The eulogy, which was read with deep emotions by the PM, the son of the deceased, was indeed very profound. It certainly bore a powerful message that I think should resonate with all of us. The message that understood was…..

1. Life has its challenges but regardless of the circumstances, the challenges can be overcome if one faces up to it.

2. Stigmatizing mental illness is unwarranted. because anyone can become a victim of mental illness . As a result, as a responsible society, we should always find that moment to lend a helping hand to the mentally ill, instead of finding that moment to ridicule them.

Clearly, it is quite obvious that PM Browne carried a weight of his mother’s illness throughout his childhood & his adult life and hence, sadly became a target / victim of ridicule & mockery from his peers who found the time to grind him & call him funny names thus causing him shame & embarrassment. I am sure that there was no remorse from those persons who exhibited such insensitive behavior towards him & his siblings.

Commendation must be also extended to the PM & his sister Blondel, who both endured through the long sufferings of the socio-economic hardship & parody they both experienced with their mum. Simultaneously,  kudos must also be given to them for not succumbing to the pressures of the status quo of society. Interestingly, his sister did not to find refuge in prostitution to financially better her life and the PM chose not to find refuge in stealing or any other ills of society to improve his economic status. All that he said was credited to his sick mother..

Surely, words like resilient, strong, blessed discipline & focused are some words that truly describes the PM & his sister Blondel. Growing up without a mother’s care in an impoverished & oppressed community such as Point & Gray’s Farm could not be an easy feat 

Inspite of the laughter, the mockery and the insensitive behaviour of friends & family members along with the stigma ” crazy ” that his mother bore,  as kids, they remained steadfast to the values that they inherited from both their sick mother and grandmother. Thumbs up!

It is very clear that PM Browne & his sister, both had an unconditional love for their sick mother who they stuck with until the end. The emotions expressed by the PM, while reading her eulogy, in my view, was not only because of his mum’s passing but the reminiscing of the agony & hurt that he had to bear for his 50 plus years of his life, all because of a sick mother who could not be blame for her illness.

So far, it is extremely good to see the PM has overcome such turbulences and manoeuvred himself through a journey from rags to riches and a journey from the little errand boy to a prime minister who has now earned global respect. Unfortunately, his mother was not in position to enjoy & celebrate with him his achievements.

If we all had our own way no one would choose to become mentally ill. However, some of us fall victims of mental illness due to the socio-economic pressures that we are faced with and so, nature takes the best of us.

As the PM advocated in the eulogy,  civil society need to be more responsible, compassionate and empathetic and be our brother’s keeper rather than making fun of those persons who are mentally challenged. Today might for me tomorrow it just might be you.

Finally, I must say that it was lovely to see some staunch political oppositions like Alister Thomas & Paul Quinn rendering his  musical skills on the organ.  In addition, although a serious critic of the PM, Dr Jackie Quinn’s condolences, I sense, was certainly a sincere one. Kudos Doc & stay blessed PM our prayers are with you and the family.

Fitzroy 

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