Alex Bruno

“A just society in Dominica can only be obtained by your vote” – Patrick John, 1979.

"Revenge don't build a nation, but forgiveness always paves the way for a nation to rise" - Mandela. Lessons from the wise which could benefit Dominica's cause.

Sandy!

Her given name and stage name is Sandy. Not Lady Sandy or what have you. She is simply, Sandy. That is how I knew Sand, as Sandy; plain and simple.

Sandy has no vary, no filter, no style - well she does not cut style on people (if you are from Dominica/the Caribbean, you might know what this means), but she has style and she knows that she got it.

Sandy carries the names: June, Baby, Soans and her marital surname, Alleyne, of course. I have heard people call her by other names as well. Like The Little Dynamo, 2007 Calypso Monarch, Singing Sandy (she NEVER liked that name), Miss Wob, Champion etc...

However, I call her Sandy because this has a ring of simplicity to it, and, in my books, Sandy is a synonym of simplicity. Sandy is simple and courageous. She is diminutive and humongous. Sandy is calm and dangerous. Do not cross Sandy (or her family) if you do not want to get crossed. I can confess to Sandy in ways that many do not know her.

Sandy and I have an unbreakable bond which cannot be expressed in mere words. Sandy and I are friends to the highest degree...and to the end. Sandy makes you respect her without uttering a word; her silence is loud and her bite is her bark. Sandy does not announce her attack, she attacks and then tells you that she is going to (or you know that she has).

Sandy is sweetly vicious. She is territorial and will defend her turf, name and honor with every strength she can muster. I have seen Sandy broken. I have seen Sandy awakened. I have seen Sandy rejoice, but her rejoicing is never prolonged. Sandy believes in taking on the next challenge.

Sandy's philosophy is: Next!

Sandy is driven by something (or things) that I don't really know, or probably refuse to say, and when Sandy is at her calmest, that is when she is on the rampage. Sandy is a critical thinker and even a better executioner. Sandy is any coah's dream. Sandy is probably my Best Client Ever (BCE); she and Lady Star might be tied....hmmm.

Look, I am looking for trouble for myself.

I coached Sandy in Calypso & Life because Calypso was once Sandy's life. It probably still is, but life has evolved for Sandy. I met Sandy when she was a struggling single mother, and now Sandy is a successful, thriving family woman. Way to go, Sandy!

Let's go back to Calyps: Some think that Sandy won the Calypso Monarchy in 2007, but I know she has captured the title - in her mind - every time she set foot on the Calypso stage. I managed Sandy from 1994/5 through to 2000, and then again from about 2001/2 for a few more years.

Sandy came back into competitive Calypso in 2013/14 and left abruptly. I am not writing about this episode because it hurts too bad. All I wish to say is that, what was meant to break Sandy only made her stronger. Ironically, Sandy has a song "That's Life' with these words.

Attempts to eliminate and humiliate Sandy in Kaiso made her BIGGER!

I feel as if I am rambling on, and probably I am, but that is the way the narratives come to me. I write based on my mood and inspiration, and Sandy's Shout Out is laced with abrupt or punctuated beats and bits.

Sandy's life comes in spells, like everyone's else I suppose, but her journey has not been easy. Did I not already shout out Sandy? I get the distinct feeling that I have, but I need to do this at this time.

Let's go back to Kaiso a bit...

I was left with zero doubt - in my mind - that Sandy would have been announced the winner of the Dominica Calypso Monarch contest of 2007, but I was wrong. Hunter did win and nothing should take this glory away from him. You see, I trained Sandy how to accept defeat, and part of the training was how to turn defeat into victory. So, Sandy is always a victor.

I know and love Sandy and her Family. Brian is a Big man. She stands with, and supports Sandy as a rock. Sand herself is a rock! Sandy cares about her children (adult children now). Sandy has a 4-F rule for life (in that order) Faith, Family, Friends, Foe. She believes all four Fs play a balancing role in her life. I will elaborate in a follow-up shout out.

Sandy pays attention to critics (critiques as well)...sometimes too much!

Sandy cares about people. Sandy is of, and from the ghetto, but she does not permanently reside there. In fact, I don't think that she ever really resided there. The Ghetto was simply where Sandy emerged from, and the will probably always have a place in her heart (as it should), but Sandy was not bound by her circumstances.

Should I go back to Kaiso....?

Probably not.

I'd better end now while I can.

Sandy has been an exceptional friend, confidant, colleague and client. Thank you, Sandy, for helping to shape my life.

Thanks for being totally vulnerable with me and for letting me learn how NOT to take advantage of peoples' vulnerabilities.

Thanks for crying openly, for hours at a time (with no exageration), and for consuming me completely at a time when, if you didn't, I might or could have lost my way.

Thanks for helping me to appreciate beauty from inside out. Thanks for being real. Thanks for taking me on the journey of life with you. This journey is still taking place even if we are oceans apart and I have not seen you (in the flesh) in a decade and more.

Be true to who you are, Sandy. Remain simple...Sandy. Link me.

Alex.