Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the creator(s) don’t represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.
by Dr. Basil Springer
“For He’ll command His angels concerning you to protect you in all of your ways.” – Psalm 91:11
Tuesday, July 5, 2022 marks the eightieth anniversary of the birth of my colleague and friend the late Professor the Honourable Oliver Headley who passed away over 20 years ago.
We worked on many solar distillation, solar drying and photovoltaic projects from 1969 until the week before his passing.
If he were here today to watch the achievements in and potential for Caribbean renewable energy projects, he can be at his effervescent best.
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, biomass, ocean, geothermal and hydro, and significant progress is continually being made on each front as we face the climate change challenge.
Particularly, he can be ecstatic in supporting the vision of the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley to have each roof in Barbados covered with solar panels, which she articulated on the recently concluded Summit of the Americas. On Wednesday, July 6, 2022 I have fun my 81st birthday, deo volente, and the twenty ninth anniversary of my weekly column.
Given the relatively rapid pace at which my contemporaries are leaving this Earth (seven within the last two months), I resolved this week to follow the examples of my late mother, Rita Springer SCM, and my late wife Kean Springer to embark on writing projects before time runs out.
In 2001, on the age of 87, Mummy, who was affectionately generally known as “Rites” (pronounced REETS), accomplished a Travelogue of Memoirs. Kean, alternatively, weaved her background of music and literature to create a book, published in 2008, in celebration of the life and times of my uncle, the Right Excellent Sir Hugh Springer.
My effort will probably be focused on chronological refection and a legacy of “Key Takeaways”. One solution for those concerned concerning the way forward for our lives is obtainable by Dr. Harry Ramnarine, of the Ishtara Centre in Trinidad, who encourages his audiences to “tune right into a new energy field” looking for an prolonged quality of life.
I even have travelled by schooner, fishing boat, banana boat and airplane since I used to be a boy scout within the Nineteen Fifties; then for study, on the job, family vacations and international assignments. Travelling refreshes the mind.
I even have flown in two seaters to airbuses and my body has taken the stress of traveling with no consideration over time. Early flights, late flights, waiting for connections, dashing through airports, just reaching the gate before the door closes.
Fortunately, just once did I miss a flight after I fell asleep within the departure lounge and woke as much as be told that my flight had just departed. Those accustomed to my soporific interludes surely would expect these occasions to be more frequent.
The past few years have been remarkable, consisting of COVID-19, stay-at-home advisories, a new lifestyle, airport closures, and pent-up demand for travel. Also, vaccination, hand sanitization, mask wearing, and social distancing. Travel has now resumed with a difference – concierge services, travel passes and PCR tests. It just isn’t as easy as before, how will the body react?
In early February this 12 months I traveled to go to family in Dallas with a change of plane in Houston. I made it to the gate with one minute to spare and the body didn’t respond thoroughly. There have to be a greater way.
Well, I used to be advised to hunt wheelchair assistance on these trips. Who me, not me … that’s for old people! Then I realised that I even have now assumed that status. Last week I used to be on a repeated family visit. My wheelchair request was confirmed. It was a dream of an experience and there was a renewed desire to travel and learn.
Allow us to proceed to unlock that human potential as we travel along the invention spectrum – data, information, knowledge, understanding, insight and wisdom – guided by the angels in heaven, and inspired by the angels who’ve crossed our paths while unaware.
Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is [email protected] His columns could also be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
Enroll and stay awake up to now with Barbados’ FREE latest news.
