Sometimes I wish I could write 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' across the sky. Maybe people would think God wrote it and start taking it more seriously. Remember, your neighbour is not restricted to those who live beside you; it refers to all and sundry you come in contact with.
We have to take this thing more seriously and I am speaking specifically to that gentleman who was driving a Mitsubishi motor car along Trafalgar Road at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, April 3.
Yes, Sir, I was the person driving the silver Bluebird which could have collided in the back of your car when yuh cut in front of mi. What if God wasn't on our side? Hope that you will cut that out and drive with your road neighbours in mind. And that goes for all drivers who mirror such silly behaviour.
Some people think that bad driving is the hallmark of a skilful motorist but remember that this kind of skill kills!
I suppose it was some of those drivers who were so busy showing their skill that they couldn't see the blind man standing on the sidewalk along Knutsford Boulevard a few weeks ago, attempting to go across to the other side. To add insult to injury, pedestrians were not sensitive enough to see what was happening and to give a helping hand.
Thanks to the lady who was passing in her motorised wheelchair and saw the gentleman's plight. Just like the Good Samaritan would, she rode up to him and offered to lead him across the busy thoroughfare. It must have been a beautiful sight indeed to see the blind neighbour holding on to the handle of the wheelchair as they made their way to the other side. Heaven must have smiled. Applause, please!
And before you put away your hands, let's give a huge round of applause (I know that's not what they were looking for) to a group of NWC workers for their super acts of neighbourliness as reported in The Gleaner on Friday, April 3. These kind neighbours used the money they collected for their birthday club to (a) purchase a brand new stove for a co-worker who was burnt out; (b) donated $15,000 to a 10-year-old student who needed surgery; (c) donated food and other necessities to children at the Widow's Mite, a home within the Mustard Seed Communities. Take a leaf.
Let me use some of the space allotted now to say thanks to some kind neighbours for acts of generosity.
Thanks to:
1. Nadia, Manchester, for offering a job to Pauline, a cosmetologist, who was badly in need of a job. Hope things are working out.
2. Rudolph, for offering a mattress to his neighbour who needed one.
3. Claudette, St Catherine, who wants to help Charmaine, St Catherine, with zinc to help restore her house.
4. Avis, for donating a walker to assist with the comfort of an elderly neighbour.
5. Janice, for offering items of clothing to a needy neighbour.
6. Mr Robinson, St Andrew, for donating a king-size bed to a neighbour.
7. Beverly, Clarendon, for offering a second-hand sewing machine, in good condition, to a neighbour.
8. The neighbour who wants to give teddy bears to a neighbour from St Catherine who is setting up a day-care centre.
9. The neighbour from Kingston who wants help the neighbour whose brother is sick and in need of a mattress.
10. Ivet, Manchester, who is giving clothing to a recently converted Christian in need of clothing.
11. Blossom, Kingston, who has given a bed to a needy neighbour.
12. Kadian, Kingston, for offering a computer monitor to a neighbour.
CAN YOU HELP THESE NEIGHBOURS?
1. Miss Smith, St Andrew: unable to walk, needs a live-in-helper (someone to work and to be part of the family).
2. Shanna, Kingston: Seeking help for her 36-year-old friend who needs financial assistance to remove cancerous lumps from her breast.
3. Neighbour, St Catherine: forced out of her home by her own relatives; now seeking to start afresh. Asking neighbours to assist with sheets of ply board, zinc and other building materials to construct a home. She has two children.
4. Mr Barnett: Senior citizen asking neighbours to assist with the purchase of glasses as it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to see.
5. Neighbour, Manchester: Asking neighbour for POB and accounting books for neighbour's daughter who is sitting exams.
6. Neighbour, St Catherine: She is a cancer survivor. Her husband was killed seven years ago. She is seeking to start her own business in rearing chickens to help her family survive. Asking neighbours to assist by way of a used deep freezer.
7. Mother, St Mary: Seeking a used computer for her bright little daughter who is doing very well in her studies. She can, however, do even better if she has her own computer. Willing to pay a small amount if necessary.
8. Young neighbour, St Andrew: Her mother fell from a tree and died. Now living with cousins and needs a bed for herself and sister. Everyone is now sleeping on the same bed.
9. Kelly, St Ann: Burnt out of her home; now needs clothing for an 18-year-old and a one-month-old girl.
10. Neighbour, St Ann: Two blind senior citizens (relatives who share accommodation) are in need of daily food and repairs to their home. Asking neighbours to assist as they are unable to work.
11. Neighbour, St Ann: Tried to part a fight in which he then lost a hand. He now seeks to sustain himself through his own business in buying and selling - asking neighbours to contribute items for sale or give financial assistance.