Pete Saunders

A few years ago, I was at the Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands about to return home after an exciting and relaxing summer vacation with family and friends. While saying my good-byes, I saw a couple that looked to be in their fifties, pull up to the airport entrance. After the man retrieved the lady’s luggage and appeared to be ready to receive his good-byes, the lady stuck her head and hands inside the car, gave the dog a nice kiss and a hug then directed her attention to the man and repeated her actions (except that in my eyes, the dog’s kiss was longer). Nurtured by a culture that sees dogs only as outdoor-living protectors, I was quite flabbergasted. I was a teenager at the time and did not realize that one could have so much love and affection for dogs.

At first, we were told that it will be a Category 4 hurricane. Specialists predicted that it will be worst than any storm in Bermuda’s recent history. It was seen as such a threat that Hurricane Igor was nicknamed “Igor The Terrible”. Residents took heed to the warnings. Seven years ago, Hurricane Fabian caused extensive damage to the island and also resulted in the death of four persons. Most of us braced ourselves and prepared for the worst. All major disaster response organizations on the island were fully prepared to be mobilized following the storm. In fact, we were to have the services of HMS Manchester, the Royal Navy destroyer, which steamed up from the Caribbean and was on stand-by close to the island to offer assistance post Igor. Residents, including myself, stocked up on non-perishable foods, batteries, flashlights, candles, water, and pet food. We also made sure our cars were filled with fuel. Just in case Igor took prices through the roof.

A couple walks into your office and as soon as they get a chance to share what brought them to see you, the wife starts shouting and complaining about how unreasonable and cruel her husband is. What is your initial thought? Is it, what would make her arrive at such a conclusion? Or is it, she should probably end this obviously unhealthy relationship right now? Or is it, how could this man stay married to this cantankerous woman?

I was seven years old when I was told that my classmate and best friend (we can call him Mark) will no longer be coming to school. My teacher announced that Mark’s funeral will be held in only a few days. She sent us home early with a note containing all the details. I could not understand what was really happening but my mother tried to explain to me that Mark was dead and we would not be playing together anymore. When I was told how he died, it was as though all understanding left me. How could his own father beat him to death? Fathers are supposed to be protectors. How could they also be the attacker?

She is four years old. Within minutes after her birth, her mother died. Ten months later, her father died. Altina’s nine other siblings went to the care of aunts, uncles and a grandparent. Nobody wanted Altina. They felt she was responsible for the death of her mother. So, they were ready to place her in foster care. Barely a toddler and Altina already experienced almost unimaginable loss and deprivation.