Today is the day we celebrate Bermuda Day. One of my favorite
days of the year because it brings out the best in most of us Bermudians. The
day when we are proud to be Bermudian. When we put down all the trials and
tribulations that may be facing us as an Island and come together as a people.
When we remember that love conquers all. When we are free from hate and embrace
love.
When political fighting is put to the side. When our
economic woes are forgotten for the day. When foreigners are embraced as locals as well as
we watch them join in our annual half marathon, making up just as much in numbers
in the race as Bermudians do now. When
they come to watch our annual parade that may not be as glamorous as it is in
other places but it is ours nonetheless.
It is beautiful to
see all walks of life, Bermudian and nonBermudians, black, white, and everything
in between, tourists and locals, young
and old coming together on this day to celebrate Bermuda day. There are some
that come out for the road race, the parade, and others that take their first
dip in the ocean for the year. While there
are others who choose to spend time with loved ones somewhere that makes them happy
while others just veg. But this is a day that always makes me smile.
Yesterday as my daughter and I were driving through Hamilton,
I could not help getting a tear in my eye ( I think aging makes me feel more
nostalgic about everything because tears comes so freely to me now) as we saw
families sitting in their chairs, camping to get their spots along the race
route and parade route. Families, friends, strangers laughing and joking with
each other as they waited to make sure they had a bird’s eye view of the festivities
of today. Some had been there since Friday night to make sure they had their
prime traditional spots. And as we drove along, we spotted family names taped
along the way to make sure no one took their spot. Absent but present by their markings.
Making us chuckle at how seriously people
take getting their spot for the day’s activities.
I imagined families home cooking meals and planning the day
to make sure they are prepared for spending the entire day in their spots. Reacquainting
themselves with people they may not have seen since the year before. I imagined
the excitement people were feeling about getting ready for our day, Bermuda Day
steeped in tradition. And I couldn’t help but smile and feel a bit emotional
about it all.
It is times like these that give me hope for humanity. Gives
me hope for us that we are all looking for the same thing. To be acknowledged,
remembered and loved. To be happy and to be free. It is times like these that makes me realize there is nothing more enduring than tradition and heritage. That
we remember who we are and where we come from because it prepares us for our
place in this world. Reminds us there is no need to be hateful and hostile to
each other because we are striving for the same thing and in remembering that
we honor those that cross our paths because we are all doing the best we can
with the resources we have.
Good luck to all the runners today in the half marathon and
best wishes to all those who are taking part in the parade. To all the
spectators remember what this day is all about - it is about us celebrating and
remembering who we are as a people, Bermudian and local people alike. Sharing this
space to make it as beautiful as Mother Nature has given us this picture perfect Bermudaful day just for us. With gratitude.
Happy Bermuda Day to my fellow Bermudians and locals
wherever you may be in this world and whatever you may be doing today. I am so Proud to
be Bermudian….
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