Happy Independence Bahamas!

On the evening of July 9th, 1973, my maternal grandfather polished his shoes and donned his ceremonial uniform headed to patrol Clifford Park as throngs of onlookers waited with eager anticipation as the Union Jack was lowered for the final time.

My mother tells me that just before he left, he insisted that she awaken me so he could look into my eyes to get a glimpse of the future.

Admittedly I do not recall that night and yet, being born at the dawn of an independent Bahamas, I have had the unique experience as I and my country of birth have meandered this journey, we call life in an almost symbiotic relationship that at time drifts carelessly and at others, sprints with an intentional cadence.

I was born and raised in Chippingham a quaint fruit tree-lined neighborhood just east of downtown Nassau and a mere stone’s throw from Clifford Park where on a clear and starry night in July 1973, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas raised her flag and took her place on the global stage.

Growing up I always felt as if the Bahamas was almost an imaginary friend in my head since she was there for all of my life’s milestones. Together we entered our teenage years when she was 20 I was in the throes of my undergraduate studies, as she turned 30 I was focused on my career, and now that we are in the sunset of our 40’s who knows what’s next?

I encourage my fellow independent babies to take up the challenge and take a little inspiration from the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, let's realize that we are just like our country, Young Scrappy and Hungry and let's not miss any shots in life!

I have walked lockstep with the Bahamas for years and as we have matured and experienced so much of life, I long to see her come into her own and yet I confident that just as my grandfather looked into my eyes for a glimpse of the future that maybe I and others of my generation are what she awaits to transition to a new season of glory.

One of my earliest memories is standing in my Grammy’s yard and her pointing out where she had planted my navel string under an overgrown sapodilla tree. As she and countless other gems of her generation are long gone, thins ancient ritual has worked as here I am still proudly tied to the soil of my birth and. And with all that has happened since her last birthday, I am proud to be Bahamian for the strength, tenacity, and creative courage she exhibits even today.

Having witnessed the birth of such an amazing nation as a baby, I have come to expect amazing things in my life and as such, I wonder what is next in her journey and whether the answers to many of her questions lie with me and others of my generation.

Just like my grandfather who died a mere two weeks after independence in July 1973, I too am eager to see a glimpse of our future, only now I am looking beyond the eyes of a child to the eyes I see in the mirror every day.

My beloved Bahamas is an amazing place filled with people who have for generations wielded the uncanny ability to carve out an existence from limestone all the while encouraging all us independence babies to dream and excel beyond even our wildest dreams.

Have a Happy Independence Morning!