NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024 16 EDMUND BARTLETT FEATURE IT’S JANUARY 1st, 1998. My dad sits a wary man, licking his wounds, staring at the charred remains of his lonely apartment. Contemplating his life and what to do next. You see, 1997 was possibly the most challenging year of his life. March 27th, 1997, he lost his daughter to CFF. December 9th, he lost his second election in a row and he was removed from his Senate post. Financially things weren’t good. A few years back, he had to sell his dream home and now lived in an apartment that almost burned to the ground and might as well have, as some of his most valuable items were lost. Family albums among them. How do you recover from that? He could have given up, pursued a new career, left Jamaica and start fresh in the US. His family was already there. Folks do this all the time. There was no shame in that. But no, he knew this was not the end. He knew he had more to give to the people of Jamaica. In the depths of despair and failure, he found hope, peace, and resolve; a firm determination and belief that he could bring tremendous value to the people of Jamaica. This wasn’t just a job, it was a calling. He wasn’t just a politician, but a servant. It was his belief that this is what God put him on this planet to do. It was clear. There is no other choice, or so I believe. I’m honestly not sure how he persevered but I know this is grit, fortitude, and faith. Earlier this year he shared the following, “An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in it. Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us strength to overcome them.” Need I say anymore? Yes, I will. I didn’t get it then but I do now. That story serves as inspiration for me and now, I hope, for you. He just keeps giving. Thanks, Dad. Congratulations. I love you. My dad, my inspiration Edmund Bartlett Jr, his mom Carmen (right) and cousin Yvonne Lawson (left).
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