Carl “Alff” Padmore on The Good Life:
What is your greatest childhood memory? A good flogging… I was not a rude child but . . . my mother never spared the rod so this boy is not spoiled. What keeps me passionate is . . . when I see my people achieve. An ounce of effort tickles my blood to keep going…when youth excel the heavens smile (I believe this). Also when my daughters do well, I feel passionate to do more (please don’t tell them their heads might swell).My biggest regret is . . . I strive not on regrets but on a principle: “What is for you – you will get” The person who has made the biggest impact on my life? Well my life has taken so many dimensions that I don’t have one but a few: My mother – MARCIA PADMORE- Poverty is not setback but a perfect setup for excellence John Gittens – fatherly values John Gittens (Jr) – BROTHERLY SUPPORT Joseph Romney – fatherly support Roderick Estwick – hard work and determination Mac Fingall – goal settings and usefulness of time Stedson Wiltshire – patience and family values Wesley Dear – spiritual stability Jeffrey Broomes – discipline against the odds Philip St Hill – theatre and academics can be balancedFreundel Stuart – kindness, love and character will win out in the end The teachers at primary, secondary and sunday schools – Four Roads Primary Parkinson and Six Roads Wesleyan Church and the Six Roads Church Of Christ.A life-changing moment happened when . . . My mother was hospitalised earlier this year . . . I was shocked to see all those who cared and more shocked to find out the ones who only pretended they care. To lose a mother is hard. I wish people would cherish theirs. My best Christmas memory is . . . NOW. Freundel Stuart a Marchfield boy (country boy) sitting as Prime Minister. My mother in her new home. Attending the Nation Publishing Company Christmas Decoration Competition – The story of Christ and caring was evident. This has to be the best Christmas because we are alive to be with each other.And my worst Christmas memory is . . . in 1985, my Gran Gran died. It was devastating. No pot pork. No belly soup. No great cake on the oil stove. This was my first Christmas without her.What I love most about myself now is . . . I am a Caribbean citizen with a global vision… also the fact that I make people laugh (laughter is good medicine) but I am never seen as a doctor. Hmmmm.