THE EDITOR, Sir:
I CAN'T remember when I became aware of Richard Grant's presence at the traffic light at Hope and Waterloo roads. I only know that after having many negative experiences with other windscreen cleaners, I was wary of having them approach me at the lights. I realised after a while that this man was different. In fact, it was a pleasure to do business with him. I felt that he was always looking out for me, to brighten my day with good wishes for me and my family whom he did not even know.
It is now upon his death that I realise I am only one of his special people. I believe that it really dawned on me one day in a communications class at University of the West Indies, when he came up for special mention by the lecturer, who expressed the level of comfort she felt having him clean her windscreen, as opposed to some of the others.
Then came the day when we had an assignment to do, entitled, 'Windscreen wipers, Service or Menace'. I asked Richard to organise interviews with his co-workers for me and my colleagues. This he did with great enthusiasm. My colleagues were impressed with his level of intelligence and co-operation, also the influence he had on the other cleaners at the light. That traffic light now has workers who emulate him with their courtesy and the good wishes they extend to all. The grief they feel at his passing is evident to everyone.
Richie did not live in vain; he touched the lives of many. I can remember when all the Hope and Waterloo clients put together to buy crutches for one of the members who had been shot. Organised by Richie, of course. He lived to show others that regardless of your chosen field of work, you can make it honourable, if you are honourable. I remember stories he told of how hard he tried to get a job in the traditional markets.
Many thanks to Betty Ann Blaine and others who took the time to mould Richie and his friends.
I am, etc.,
JOY CHARLTON.
