Howdy! How things? I'm sending positive greetings and such sweet things to all brethrens and sistrens, but if anybody ask me what a gwaan now, my answer would have to be 'nuff tings'. And some of them is some really rough things!

Between last Wednesday and now has been a whirlwind of a week that was anything but weak, because is some strong vibrations thats been rocking my world. It was a week in which my heart ascended to great heights, and also sunk to deep lows, and I was reminded of the often joyful but sometimes painful unpredictability with which this river of our life flows.

I once heard that tragic news loves to visit us in threes, and this past week definitely proved that, as I was hit with a triple shock. Yeah, man, is a serious thing. In the course of this one week I got the sad news of the passing of three beloved souls. Two of them, noted musicologist Dr Olive Lewin and broadcaster/cultural activist Tony Laing are well-known figures who've made major contributions at the national level, and the entire country is mourning their passing. Dr Lewin and Mr Laing are individuals whom I have had the privilege of meeting and engaging on a one-on-one basis. Both have offered me insight and gave me encouragement and inspiration, and I was personally moved by the news of their transition.

important influence

The third such news and the one that hit me the hardest though, was the news this week of the passing Miss Phyllis E. Welsh OD.

Miss Welsh is my beloved mentor/ mother/teacher/friend and a woman I'll love and honour as long as I live. I met her as a lost and timid boy in grade three, and my life changed for-ever. I can say without hesitation that Miss Welsh is the person who's been the single-most important influence on the man I have become. She has had the most profound positive impact on my life and I'm still trying to come to terms with the idea that this teacher to thousands and mother to many, who dedicated over 45 years of her life to Trench Town Primary School, is no longer with us. Believe me people, is a hard ting fi deal wid.

And that was the kind of vibration with which I marked another birthday. But if you read last week's box, you'd know that I had earlier decided and loudly declared my intention to spend my birthday focussing on the wonderful women - Miss Welsh included, who made me what I am. I didn't want to focus on me. Many others thought otherwise though, and I have to gratefully acknowledge that it made a world of a difference. It was a whole heap of highs to balance the lows.

well wishes

Yeah, man, a lot of birthday love and strength came my way. And it spoke volumes. It must stand for something, the overwhelming outpouring of affection and affirmation that I've experienced this past week. It has to count for something, the over 500 and counting, pile of posts, tweets and messages mounting, all wishing me well and sending me love. Mind says "Blakka, count your blessings yah boss"; but even the thought of naming and numbering my multitudes of blessings seem mind numbing and brain boggling. Count? Mi woulda need many mathematicians and roughly one dozen accountants plus a few actuaries fi calculate my countless blessings!

My spirit says "Brother man, give thanks!" But how do I find the words to frame the thoughts that could channel the emotions swelling in my heart? Seriously, how do I even start? Oh I know, I'll put on my favourite by Rita Marley tune and try and out-sing the CD as I beam gratitude to the universe "Thank you Jah for what you've done for me, thank you Jah for what you're doing now! ..."

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