THE EDITOR, Sir:IT IS now Friday the 17th and I am reading Wednesday's Gleaner and there before me is the Letter of the Day with headline, 'Richie was one in 10 million'. I am in deep sorrow. I did not know Richie personally. As a matter of fact, I could safely say I know him to the extent that the writer knew him and that is at the traffic lights at Hope and Waterloo roads. I did not even know his name. However, he left such an impression on me.
Richie had such a pleasant personality that on my request for him not to clean my car windows, I would still give him 'something'. A page from his book can go a long way in Jamaican society today. He had a difficult life but that did not stop him from having a shining smile on his face. When I saw him last week it was the first time since I have been seeing him for so many years, he was not smiling. I did not get the opportunity to ask him what was the cause of his bleak look. It made me feel sad because he was sad.
That is the effect this 'windshield wiper' street person had on me. And I do not say this out of disrespect. My point is that no matter what your status is in life you can have an empowering effect on people based on your personality.
We should all learn from this young man who gave so much to society just by reminding us that all is not lost and if we wear a smile, the world will smile with us. The next time you see a policeman, greet him with a smile; the next time you see a customer in your store, greet that person with a smile; the next time you pass someone on the street, greet that person with a smile. Richie, you will be missed.
I am, etc.,
JUDY ROWE
1B Old Church Road, Kingston 8
