Dear Editor,
The community of Linden (Region Ten), the PNCR family and the immediate family, has lost a phenomenal woman in the name of Ms Sandra Adams, MS.
Editor, I pen this letter with a heavy heart, for it is always difficult to construct words to truly capture the essence of a woman whose life was committed to the service of the people, her party and country with an unrelenting passion.
It is indeed a very shocking and sad occasion for us in this community. We not only mourn and prepare to bid farewell to our dear friend, colleague, mentor and comrade, but we also celebrate a life well lived, and give credence to the admirable service she gave to our community, our party and country.
As a young politician under the tutelage and leadership of Ms Adams in the region, my local and world view of politics was enhanced with remarkable speed. I got to discover that service to the people is a never-ending task, and at times can be a lonely road. I learnt to accept that irrespective of how much you do or give, there will always be the unsatisfied, the disappointed, the disgruntled; you will encounter people who will never be pleased, and will always be critical and ever-ready to oppose for opposing sake; and there are those who are forever thankful, even for the littlest of things, and that is why you keep doing it.
I have learned politics and people are not always what it may appear, and may lead to hurts and disappointments; but despite this, you have to stay true to who you are, and hold on to the principled position of giving service to the people.
“Figgy, is years I deh in this thing, boy,” she would say, accompanied by her usually big, bright smile.
We, as Lindeners, should both mourn and celebrate her life. Celebrate the fact that we were blessed with so rare a gift of a fellow human being, a Lindener, an activist, leader, patriot, a friend and a comrade, whose presence was always felt and could not be ignored, whose contributions were transformative and developmental. An individual whose approach to certain situations at times was unorthodox, unconventional, and even confrontational; but her intentions were always for the betterment, the improvement, the development of her people and community.
With her enveloping personality, this stylish dresser commanded the audience’s attention wherever she was present. Linden, Region Ten, PNCR and Guyana will miss you, our dear comrade.
Socrates, the Greek philosopher of Athens, posited, “To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?”
In the words of the British poet and playwright William Shakespeare, “All that live must die, passing through nature to eternity”. Rest in peace comrade, and may you rise in eternal glory.
Sincerely,
Jermaine Figueira
Member of Parliament
(Region Ten)
