What an amazing eulogy at the funeral service for Carteel Trotman!

Editor: His name was announced as the person to deliver the eulogy. I knew the name, but not the person. I had heard his voice before on radio and from what I heard in Miami, Florida, I formed the opinion that he was an older person.{{more}}

To my surprise a youthful, handsome and well-dressed male stood up and made some positive strides with dignified solemnity on his way to the podium – he cut a most charismatic figure, marvelously sculptured. He projected the image of a leader. His superb mastery of the English language commanded respect and attention and admiration.

Initially, I said, at best, this is going to be another “run-of-the-mill stuff,” loaded with lies and nice “ole” talk about the dead. What new can this young man tell us? Then he began the best and most realistic eulogy I have ever heard in my entire life of 68 years. I was impressed and greatly refreshed and inspired and that was the spontaneous consensus of all I spoke to – young and old, NDP and ULP, rich and poor – indeed people from all walks of life highly commended the young man for the freshness he brought to bear on his presentation; he carefully avoided the beaten path.

First of all he established his intimate acquaintance with all members of the bereaved family – thus providing the basis for believable pronouncements to follow – then he brought tears to my eyes when he displayed a personal handwritten note by the deceased. Probably, that was the last extensive handwritten note with two immortal poems, containing valuable life transforming lessons for all humanity to make this world a better place. In fighting to suppress a tremulous voice, Luke vowed that he would not part with that immortal note which would help him to navigate his way through the storms of life – it will find a secure and identifiable place among the sacred pages of his Bible. What a revolutionary impact this young man would make nationally if he allows his Christianity to influence his politics, rather than walk in the counsel of the ungodly and stand in the way of sinners and sit in the seat of the scornful.

Driven by curiosity to see the note, I could not hold back the flow of tears when I read Luke’s name on the back of the note in the personal handwriting of my cousin Carteel. Immediately, as if Carteel said to me: “This is an investment I am making in the life of this young man of great promise. He is so compassionate, charming, humble, intelligent and caring. He represents the new face of politics. What a glorious day that would be. Oh, how refreshing and inspiring such a change would be.”

Immediately thereafter, angelic pictures of my cousin kept floating across the screen of my mind on her way to glory. Luke Browne was right, when he quoted a Psalm which says: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Thank you, Luke. Twenty-seven (27) years ago, 1989 to be exact, I sat close to Leroy Mulraine in the Kingstown Gospel Hall when Theo Browne, my school-mate and Luke’s father, delivered the eulogy at the funeral service of Dr JP Eustace. Leroy and I concluded then that it was the best eulogy we had ever heard. But that personal note with two immortal poems from cousin Carteel tipped the scale in favour of Luke.

Desmond Phillips (Florida)