Sis. Pat, yesterday, today and forever

Editor: Sister Pat first came into my life at the age of 15 years old, considered by most at that time to be a mature young man, but she scared me so.

Her piercing stare kept you on the straight and narrow and that was a difficult road to walk in St. Vincent and the Grenadines back in the early 90s. Even at church, that look would make you remain awake through the priest’s sermon. {{more}}

She took children and treated them as such; children, and God’s precious gift to humanity. She reminded parents of the awesome responsibility they have undertaken to nurture and care for the fragile minds they had brought into this world, be it accidental or planned.

I had the honour of being her student at confirmation classes while attending the Grammar School, and one of her teachers at the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua.

When my father died in 1996 at 2:45 a.m. in the morning she was one of the first persons my elder sister called at that time of the morning for consolation and she brought the comfort which was needed at that time and moments to come.

A consul, a leader, a mother and a friend. I take solace in the fact that she brought so much enlightenment to many of these small island nations.

We love you and we’ll miss you, but your spirit will live on in me, the children mourning today, and the future ones who will benefit from the progress you brought about in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A nation is saddened, but rejoices in your glowing spirit.

royjross@verizon.net