The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. People who live a fulfilled life, understand that their lives have a purpose and they have a duty to fulfil it.
We are living in a very troubled world. Negativity pervades it. T&T like the rest of the world is in the same circumstances. Many in our society are rudderless, weary souls searching for safety, purpose and peace.
And yet amongst the suffocating and nauseating negativity and toxicity, there are those individuals who have evolved to an understanding that those who serve the most discover peace of mind in the unrelenting pursuit of their purpose in life. They have found inner peace. They become lighthouses of hope.
A lighthouse offers guidance when the seas become rough. Those who become a lighthouse have found their passion in life, and spend their days pursuing it.
One such person I have encountered along my life’s journey to date is Joey Richardson also known as (aka) Mr Flagman, aka Posh, aka Richie.
Joey, a retired Police Inspector who I am quite sure like every other human being will have a back story of highs and lows, joy and sorry, mistakes and regrets.
None of us are perfect and there is an age-old saying: “Who is without sin cast the first stone”. But regardless of whatever life may have thrown at Joey - good, bad or indifferent - he found his purpose in life.
Joey became a symbol of patriotism and an example of unwavering national pride. He was proud to display the red, white and black and to carry the national flag. Wherever a T&T team was playing, the stadium could be filled to the rafters or as empty as a discarded oil drum, Joey was ever present with his flag - neatly dressed in the national colours. His act of national and civic pride wasn’t limited to sports occasions. He was present at national events such as Independence and Emancipation Day celebrations. He was also a faithful supporter of West Indies cricket and took it upon himself to be a regional brand ambassador for “Trini” Carnival.
On August 11 at 5.24 am, I received a WhatsApp message from Joey: “Good morning bro can you say when our team will be returning?”
Joey, as always, intended to be at the airport to welcome the team home - win, lose or draw. I had sent him the information that members of the team would be returning on August 14 at 3 pm. His absence was noticeable.
From day one (January 2015) of the 10GOLDS24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund marathon walk, Joey and his friends would walk from Curepe Junction with music and vocal encouragement to the finish line.
I once invited Joey to a Harvard Club rugby section fund-raiser. Not only did Joey attend but he was impeccably dressed and took home the best dressed prize.
Joey looked deep into his heart and awakened to his purpose in life. In so doing, he became an inspiration and a symbol of national pride and patriotism.
He saw himself as a force for good a vision that gave his life meaning. It gave him a purpose and it fuelled his hopes for a better, brighter, happier T&T. He walked his talk, “Trini to the Bone.” He displayed his unconditional love for the twin-island Republic for all to see and know. As T&T celebrates its 62nd Independence Day, missing will be Joey and his flag.
Joey Richardson aka Mr Flagman rest in eternal peace. We cherish your memories of a life well and fully lived.