My mother, the light that was Lynette ‘Euline’ Bruce who went out on November 5, 2021, was a gem.

She had a happy but difficult childhood, but was not one to complaining about her circumstances, present or past. She was not perfect, but she was obsessed with avoiding mediocrity. She always gave her best, sometimes to her detriment; but her example made us, her children, want to do our best as well.

Coming from humble beginnings, she developed an appreciation for the simple things. And though ambitious, she was quick to express gratitude and seldom took any blessing for granted. Loving and affectionate beyond measure, she drew people to her in the most inexplicable manner. Quick to hug, her embrace felt like a warm blanket where stress and sadness melted away. To say that her laughter was infectious would be a supreme understatement. It was that and then some. If I’m honest, raucous would be a more apt description. This is perhaps because it would often follow a ‘lil rude joke.’ Her intelligence meant that she had an amazing sense of humour, she would be the first person in the room to get that joke that went over the heads of many others. Many examples of this emerged during our weekly Sunday evening musical interludes, when we all, my grandmother included, played and listened to our favourite music on those old 45’s and LP’s. The children could not sing along to the double entendres when they were played, but we never quite knew why until well into our teens or early adulthood.

“Ms Euline” was that adult in whom most young persons comfortably confided, in the knowledge that they would not be met with judgment, reproach or betrayal. She listened like a paid therapist, and maintained confidentiality in like manner. She offered simple, solid advice, prayed and encouraged prayer, hugged, kissed and smiled reassuringly. Many secrets that she kept for my friends and the friends of my siblings only came to the fore after she died, when people shared their anecdotes with us while celebrating her life.

As a small laundry owner, she conducted herself pleasantly and professionally, with honesty and integrity. If there was bad news to be delivered to a customer, she was not one to shirk that responsibility. She’d start with an apology and state her case, try to make amends and find a way forward. Every time. without deliberately teaching us, she taught us. Her life was a sermon. She didn’t just read and speak the gospel, she lived it.

Her generosity was sometimes incomprehensible. Struggling to make ends meet from day to day was never a reason not to extend a helping hand to someone in need. I watched her shave off from the little that we had, to ensure that someone else did not go without or go hungry. This included friends and relatives, our siblings from my dad’s extra-marital and pre-marital relationships, as well as complete strangers. It didn’t matter.

[caption id="attachment_1016038" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cheryl Metivier spends quality time with her children Liu and Chinue. -[/caption]

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