The Biblical injunction commands us to love our neighbours as ourselves, and there are several ways in which the meaning of this statement can be interpreted, many people asking who then is my neighbour?
But obeying the command, Dame Olga Lopes-Seales was the kind of person who did not flinch from loving her neighbour as she loved herself. Indeed, there are many among us who would argue that she gave to her neighbours a love in excess of that which she showered on herself.
For she was never sparing in pursuit of her selfless obligation to help those for whom life appeared much tougher than the ordinary. Auntie Olga, as this lady of indomitable spirit and unflinching generosity was known throughout the length and breadth of this country, was a Christian whose contribution to the poor and disadvantaged of this country has not been equalled.
It is doubtful if it ever will be, for this gracious woman almost single-handedly travelled the nooks and crannies, and hills and byways and highways of our land, bringing charitable cheer of diverse kinds to many families for whom she was the only hope in the most desperate depths of their deprivation.
To many she was a saving angel who chose to express her kindly nature by choosing particularly to alleviate the distress of children and their immediate relatives.
The magnificence of her achievement is such that although her navel string was not buried in this country, she adopted this land and in turn was so wholesomely received by us that there was public acclamation that she should be honoured by the bestowal of this country’s highest honour – and indeed many Barbadians were already calling her “Dame” – even before it was officially bestowed upon her.
It was a measure of the warmth and appreciation that Barbadians from all walks of life returned to this Caribbean angel. She has shown us that love of a genuine kind can be expressed in meaningful ways that pays no regard to anything other than need and a genuine desire to help on the part of a “good Samaritan”.
Dame Olga was born in what was then British Guiana, but came to us many years ago in pursuit of her profession as a broadcaster. That she brought with her many inimitable broadcasting skills is demonstrated by her election to the Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.
St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians speaks about spiritual gifts, and remarks on the everlasting nature of what he calls “charity”. Some versions of the Bible translate the word “charity” as love, but the meaning of the Apostle is clear. He extols the virtues of love or charity and he makes it clear to us that love is superior to all other spiritual gifts.
Aunty Olga’s legacy may not be memorialized in large statues nor in large buildings, but will live on in the hearts and minds of all Barbadians who were captivated by potent lessons of love shown by this gentle, charming woman who taught us that we should care for our neighbours wherever they may be.
In this moment of national grief, we take comfort in the knowledge that love is the greatest of all gifts of which St Paul wrote, and that it never faileth.
Dame Olga worked with THE?NATION and its associated company STARCOM for many years, and as we treasure many precious memories, we extend our sincerest condolences to her family and relatives, and to the many thousands of Barbadians who are touched by her passing.
May she rest in peace!