Just a Lickle Water

On the 9 th September 2010, I mentioned the pamphlet/book named, A Brief History of the Jewish Settlement in Barbados. On the 13 th January 2011 today, the Barbados Daily Newspaper reported that Angel Santiago – Torres, a monument conservator, has been working on the Montefiore Monument in Barbados. This monument is a water fountain that was given to the people of Barbados by John Montefiore. It was given in memory of his father, who was a Jewish settler on this island. He died as a result of cholera.

On the 11 th November, Canada, United States, England and several Commonwealth countries will be observing Remembrance Day. On this day, men and women who had given their lives in service for their country are publicly remembered. The Seventh Book of Remembrance   The Veterans Affairs and other Federal Departments in Canada have created the Seventh Book of Remembrance. It was dedicated on the 11 th November 2005 to honour Canadian Forces who died for their country. It is available to Canadians who desire to add the names, along with a photo and other information of their loved ones. It is also accessible to those who are searching for someone. The record of those who died begins on the 1 st October 1947, and to date, it has recorded more than 1700 men and women. However, those names that have been recorded in the Korean Book of Remembrance will not be recorded here. With this said, it could take as little as a year, to about three years, for someone's name to be added. ...

In Paris, an 18-month-old baby boy, who was left in an apartment with his three-year-old sister while their parents went for a stroll, fell out of a window. The baby fell from the eighth floor. He fell through the window, bounced off the awning of a restaurant and landed in the arms of someone who was walking by. The baby did not seem to have suffered any physical injury. Wow!  Thank the Lord.

November is International Diabetes Awareness Month.  It is worth mentioning that one of the instrumental persons, to say the least, in the fight against this disease is Frederick Grant Banting. He was born on the 14 th November 1891 in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. One night, while lying in bed, several days away from his twenty-ninth birthday, on the 31 st October 1920, he came up with the idea of insulin, for those who had diabetes. Then, in 1922, the first successful test of this mediation was performed on a human being. Mr. Banting was knighted in 1934, and he died in February 1941 in Newfoundland, Canada. Presently, in his birth country, more than 9 million citizens live with prediabetes or diabetes, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

At 2:00 a.m. on 30 th October 2010, the Tropical Storm Tomas passed through Barbados. The storm was later upgraded to a category one hurricane, as it was headed for St. Vincent. The storm took off the roofs of several homes and structures across the island. Albeit, some parishes were more severely affected than others were. As would have been expected with this type of weather, the electrical supply has been affected, mainly due to the trees that have fallen across the island. However, workers have been busily clearing the roads and working to restore the electricity. A flood warning is also in effect at this time.

The funeral of Barbados' late Prime Minister, the Honourable David Thompson, will be held on the 3 rd November 2010, at the Kensington Oval in St. Michael. The service is expected to begin at 8:50a.m, and the burial will be in St. John. The Oval could accommodate about 11,000 people, and according to the 2009 Census count, this little island of 166 square miles has 275,719 people. Therefore, tickets will be made available to the public. That is, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additionally, those desiring to pay their last respects could have done so at the Parliament building in Bridgetown, Combermere School, the headquarters of the Democratic Labour Party and St. John's Parish Church on Sunday.  His body was in the state from the 28 th until the 31 st  of October.

Barbados’ sixth (6 th ) Prime Minister, the Right Honourable David John Howard Thompson died at 2:10 am, on the 23 rd October 2010, at his home in Mapps, St. Philip. Earlier this year, he revealed to the country that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Thompson was the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader, and he was elected Prime Minister of Barbados in January 2008. He was born on the 25 th December 1961, in London, England, but grew up in Barbados. He was 48 years old at his death. Married to Marie – Josephine Mara nee Giraudy, they had three daughters, Misha, Oya and Osa – Marie. His parents, Margaret Knight and Charles Thompson, who are both alive, are Barbadians. Condolences to his family and friends, the country of Barbados and everyone whose life he has touched. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:32-33 KJV.)