THE EDITOR, Sir:I SAID goodbye to my friend Winston Anglin yesterday. I was only one of scores of people that spilled out of the SDA Conference Centre in Montego Bay to pay final respects to this former national footballer, father, brother, uncle and friend. I met Winston over 11 years ago at the National Stadium. It was easy to meet the players at the stadium then as it was before the glory days. Then the players sat in the grandstand and watched the curtain-raiser before making their way during the half-time interval to prepare for their game.
I remember our first conversation as if it were yesterday. I was going through difficulties in my life and had no time for his humour. But he was relentless in his mission to make me smile. Several persons at his funeral yesterday spoke about his winning smile. Just thinking about it now either makes me cry or brings a smile to my lips, I'm working on my grief.
PUBLIC FIGURE
As a public figure, Winston was often misunderstood. On the football field he gave more than 100 per cent the ever-running mid-field giant. Off the field, he was simply Winston. When he embraced, as we invariably did, after his games, he was drenched with the perspiration of a man who had run for over 90 minutes. Little wonder that former ace striker Paul "Tegat" Davis called him Jamaica's greatest mid-fielder.
A woman muttered behind me yesterday that she was disappointed that no member of the current football team was present at the service. I suppose they are focusing on the World Cup campaign, and so they should. I wish to however, join Minister of Sports Portia Simpson Miller in asking the players to consider Winston as they play. Consider that when this man played he was not paid anything near what the current players make. Consider that despite this, he played with his heart and his soul. He was probably the most physically fit player that I knew and very passionate about the game. I've even told him that when it comes to football, he's 'miserable'.
NEW MEANING
Winston's death has brought home forcibly to me how transient life is. There's no time for bitterness and anger. We should tell the people we love how much they mean to us, we should enjoy our families and our friends. The words "drive carefully" have taken on new meaning.
As Tegat said, Twinny lived the life he loved and he loved the life he lived. I'll miss his sense of humour, that winning smile, that "everything is fine with the world attitude" which drove me crazy sometimes, our talks about everything and about nothing. Walk good my friend, I'll never forget you. Thank you for your friendship. I love you.
I am, etc.,
KAREN MADDEN
Kingston
