SAD and HAPPY at the same time!
Dear Mr. Grant,
I listened to your press conference on July 17, 2012 and never have I been sad and happy at the same time, over the same issue.
I am sad because I see a rare politician who cares about his country and his party and gave his all to both. Every time you spoke, one got a sense that you were speaking from the heart. Your language was always skillful, but your sincerity spoke even more eloquently and more weightily.
I have never before seen anyone give as much time, money, and other resources to a cause that they cared deeply about.
Your sacrifice is immeasurable, but has not gone unnoticed. You will find that many of the not so articulate voices, the ones on whose behalf you spoke every time you got the chance to do so, will tell you what you have meant to them as the political leader of your party, and will tell you what you still mean to them.
I will remember that you were the first in the Caribbean to introduce what it means to put your assets and liabilities on the table for all to see and examine. You first introduced press conferences as a new level of political discourse in our country. In fact, you have raised the level of political debate to one of substance, rather than a constant pulling down.
Your imprints are indelibly marked in our nation’s path to progress. You, Mr. Lindsay Grant, have changed our course of history in a positive way and no amount of bashing you can erase or even diminish the courage that you exhibited in certain danger, and the decency in which you conducted yourself when you were robbed, cheated and lied on.
I am happy because I believe our country is not yet completely mature enough to appreciate a leader like you. You were sacrificing at the expense of your family, and no family deserves that.
So I am extremely happy that you can now concentrate on the other aspects of your life and you can devote more concentration to your constituency. I am also happy because you can walk away from the leadership of a major political party with your head held high and without being bitter.
You are smiling and your smile seems just as cheerful and sincere as when you started your political journey twelve years ago. It says something about your heart – and we get it!
I would like to echo what one reporter said at your press conference,
“Mr. Grant, you are not only a good leader; you are a great leader.” And to those who feel that they have scored a political victory over you, please remember this Bible verse, “[They] meant it for evil, but God meant it for good!”
Concerned Citizen (overseas)
