Gordon Robinson | Family is everything

Recently, I’ve been forced to remember life’s meaning which has nothing to do with success or failure.

Because I understand the real meaning of life, I don’t think about my successes especially as they are few. I’ll carry the memory of my failures, which are many, to my grave. I’ve written several times about my most soul destroying failure including in One Love Donna (2011; https://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110628/cleisure/cleisure2.html).

Because of the same spiritual conviction, I rarely attend funerals. I consider them barbaric and only heap unnecessary stress on the bereaved. But, despite what the majority might call my unchristian approach to churches’ fund raising efforts, on Saturday, October 25, due to a complicated family connection, I attended the funeral for Leopold Lynch’s widow, Gloria Lynch.

With apologies for going off on a tangent (you knew I would), I predicted to the Old Ball and Chain that only one member of “modern” JLP was likely to attend namely Daryl Vaz. I made the prediction based on personal experience and also because I know that Daryl, despite his political persona, is a man of compassion imbued with good old fashioned Jamaican broughtupsy.

My prediction was also based on my Stepfather, Keith Gordon-Martin’s 1974 funeral. In his political heyday, he was Norman Manley’s first campaign manager and a die-hearted Comrade for life. In January 1974, during the oil crisis, when Joshua asked Jamaicans to conserve fuel, “Uncle Keith” bought hundreds of candles and barred us from using electric lights.

Not one PNP Official attended his funeral. The only one that remembered him was Florizel Glasspole who sent a wreath.

So, believe me when I confess that my cynicism for politics and politicians passeth all understanding. I know politics. I know politicians. As a group, they can’t be trusted to do anything for anyone but themselves. If you follow one or the other cult blindly you’re only embarrassing yourself.

Where was I? Ah, yes, Gloria Lynch’s funeral. Has Generation Born Yesterday googled Leopold Lynch yet? She was his backbone, sword and shield. After he died she continued as a senior, trusted, effective JLP activist.

I admit that, when I made my prediction I forgot Daryl now represents the constituency formerly dominated by Leopold Lynch so would’ve been close to his widow. But I still claimed “winnings” when, despite the impending hurricane and emergency duties, he came and gave a tribute. But I lost the bet because I also spotted former PM Bruce Golding in the church. He sat quietly, away from cameras, and paid his respects without fanfare.

Good on him. Good on Daryl!

Trust me I’m coming to the success/failure point. Soon. After the ceremony during which I, as always, sat as far back as possible, Pastor’s wife approached me. She said she read all my columns so knew every member of my family like they were her own.

It got me thinking of our greatest success namely the bringing up of a Fred MacMurray sitcom (look it up). Although I’m often given, and happily accept, credit for this, it really had nothing to do with me. It’s all Old BC. We were married on the Twoth of March, 1982. The Computer Wiz was born April 15, 1983. As she did for all our sons, she read books to him from the day he was born. Every. Day! The Ampersand was born on Old BC’s birthday (contrary to my strict instructions) in 1986. Just when I thought we were on Ken Boothe’s Freedom Street, SputNick kicked down the door on November 12, 1993.

Nine months after the Ampersand was born Old BC decided to stop working as an international civil servant at International Bauxite Association. At the time she earned more than her young, struggling, lawyer hubby but wanted to concentrate on family.

Best. Decision. Ever!

How she managed logistics with three children (four including her niece who lived with us for a long time) in different schools plus varied extra-curricular activities, extra-lessons AND homework is beyond me. She also entertained clients or friends lavishly doing everything herself just as her mother once did. She was the real Superwoman!

I wasn’t completely useless. I taught the boys, chess and bridge at age 5. In 2008, The Computer Wiz and SputNick represented Jamaica at the World Youth Bridge Olympics in Beijing. The Ampersand preferred Chess and captained Campion to successive Schools Chess Competition Titles.

All three were educated to beyond tertiary level and are doing very well in excellent careers. MY success is that none of them is a lawyer.

Life is about experiencing relativity. So be you. Success and failure are the same – experience. You’ve nothing to learn from your successes. But your failures are your best teachers. So don’t dwell on your successes. Never forget your failures lest you repeat them.

Peace and Love.

P.S. Speaking of failures, on Sunday I wrote Government sold JPS to Marubeni in 2007. Actually Government sold to USA corporation Mirant in 2001 and Mirant sold to Marubeni in 2007. Same difference.