Hello everyone and welcome to the 2023 selection of Moun Sent Lisi (for those of you who do not understand creole, the phrase means people of Saint Lucia). We thank you for your support in the last few years and look forward to receiving your continued love and support as we journey forward. May the year ahead be an inspiring and fulfilling one for each of you.
Our first guest is Michael Goodwin. Having seen Michael as I made my way to and from work for over a decade, I often wondered about his life story. I finally asked if I could speak with him and he was generous enough to agree to the interview. He even allowed me to shoot a few photos despite him being “photo averse”.
Whenever I passed Michael I sensed that he took great pride in his work, as he admired his workmanship upon completion of the task, I. I had even given him the task of washing my own vehicle and I can tell you, I was greatly impressed with the labor of love that he poured into cleaning it.
He confessed to me at the interview that as a young boy his grandfather (a past war veteran) had given him the task of polishing a piece of furniture ensuring that it was spotless. From that lesson, Michael fondly remembers that this set the tone for him taking great pride in the standard of his work output, regardless of the task or job.
Michael spoke about wanting to change his life from that of an addict on ‘hard drugs’ to a more giving citizen in our society. As he indicated, he has had persons offer to finance his rehabilitation stint but renege on their offer. He also shares a bit of wisdom by encouraging the young to enjoy their childhood. As he said “Don’t rush to be an adult, you can only be young once.”
Daisy: I had almost given up hope that Michael would show up and was elated to see him strut confidently towards me. As I sat down to ask Michael 47 zippy questions, I thanked him for his bravery and making the time to speak with me.
Michael: Good morning Daisy. Did you think I would not show up? (smiles broadly). Will the questions be difficult?
Daisy: Good morning Michael. Thank you for coming. I am grateful. The questions are not difficult but some may require some introspection from you. Don’t be nervous and you do not have to think too hard about it. Are you ready?
Michael: Okay, maybe I need to do this, so let’s go.
Daisy: (Smiles). You will do great. The first question is on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, how excited are you about life right now?
Michael: Not very…less than 5. I am ready for change in my life. This existence has to change.
D: What is your greatest strength?
M: My intellect.
D: What is your greatest weakness?
M: Flipping between the intensity of my feelings.
D: What is the one thing people don’t know about you?
M: That I was raised in a good and loving family environment. People see me and may attach all kinds of labels based on what they see on the outside.
D. This happens but perhaps this is an opportunity for you give others a bit of insight into Michael. What is the one thing no one tells you about becoming an adult and fending for yourself?
M: I think you said it in asking me the question…That you have to fend for yourself.
D: Ahhh…that’s a perspective I have not considered. When are you most inspired?
M; I am always inspired.
D. Sweet or Savory
M: I enjoy both but prefer sweet.
D: What song can you listen to on repeat?
M: Most songs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, but I will say Big Band Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Jim Reeves, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson.
D: What makes you smile the most?
M; Fond memories or getting away with something naughty.
D: What are 3 things you cannot live without?
M: Books, TV especially documentaries, and food.
D: Leather or lace?
M: Lace
D: What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done.
M: Climb up a steep vertical mountain on the Barre d’Isle in the late seventies. I went with a colleague who had taught me how to climb a coconut tree the day before. We got to the foot of the mountain and my colleague started climbing, using the vines to keep him from falling. I did not think twice about it and started climbing too, never looking back. After we got to the top and walked some ways, I realised that we had gotten to where the nature trail starts. I can only imagine what was in the bush we climbed through but thankfully we made it to the top safe and unharmed.
D: Wow, you are obviously a fast learner and brave. That must have been quite an adventure in your younger days. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
M: It was, I don’t even know how I did it. To answer your question, I would say I am persevering, patient and a dark-horse. Many people think of dark horse in a negative manner but that is not the case.
D: Interesting Mike and I am guessing that we can have a whole other interview on what a dark horse is (smiles)… so I will move along. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
M: Habit.
D: What is one thing you wish people understood?
M: That politics is just a game.
D: What is your pet peeve?
M: Not being able to light my coal pot despite all conditions being favourable. That gets to me.
D: How do you normally start your day?
M: By giving thanks to the most high for life.
D: What is your biggest regret?
M: Being introduced to hard drugs by my best friend at the time when I was 25 years old, unaware that it was not a regular joint and continuing it.
D What is one thing you wish you knew at age 19?
M: What life would be like for me 30 years from then.
D: What is one talent you wish you had?
M: I wish I could sing.
D: What is one thing you want to be doing in the next 10 years?
M: Living and breathing and drug free.
D: How would you describe your upbringing?
M: I was raised in a loving and well disciplined home and lacked for nothing. I enjoyed my childhood and my family.
D: What is one thing you had to learn the hard way?
M: Life is not a game.
D: Coffee or tea?
M: Tea
D: What is one thing you are tired of?
M: My miserable existence.
D: What is a trend you would like to see disappear forever?
M: People protecting the rights of those who kill others (uncivilized) in our society but lambasting the police for trying to protect the rights of civil society. It certainly has become a trend that needs to go away forever. Safety is a basic human right.
D: Diamonds or pearls?
M: Diamonds, I love the sparkle.
D: What is the biggest learning experience you have had?
M: Don’t take people and blessings that come into my life for granted.
D: What makes you feel accomplished?
M: A job well done. I take pride in whatever I do. When I was a young boy, my grandfather would give me chores and check on the finished product to ensure that its completion was of the highest quality. That has stuck with me for a lifetime and I am grateful to my grandfather for teaching me this.
D: Favourite food?
M: Chicken.
D: Favourite snack?
M: PEANUT BUTTER and bread.
D: What is a superpower you wish you had?
M: I could fly like superman and save the world.
D: What is your favourite color?
M: Gold.
D: What is something you would like to see happen in our society?
M: Police performing their job in the right way and with support from people in society.
D: What is the most important thing your mom taught you?
M: Indirectly, I would say she taught me to be assertive.
D: Who is your role model?
M: I would say 3 of them namely Genghis Khan, Donald Trump and Adolph Hitler. All three (3) stayed focused on the power motive, and were willing to do what was necessary to achieve their ends.
D. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
M: Habit.
D: What do you want to be remembered for?
M. The way I handled the country.
D: What is the best compliment you have ever received?
M: A streetwalker telling me that it was the sweetest and best she ever had after our encounter (blushes). It is still one of the memories that makes me smile to this day.
D: I bet…appreciation and compliments always feel good. How do you de-stress?
M: I go to bed or I pleasure myself. (We laughed as he jovially gave me a more graphic explanation of what he meant but which I will leave to the reader’s imagination).
D: What is one book you think people should read?
M: First, I think people should read more, any book or other reading material. My book suggestions would be any books by and about two black Americans namely George Washington Carver who was an inventor, and Booker T Washington who was an educator, author, and advisor to several presidents of the United States.
D: Any last words for your audience?
M: I know that my present circumstances do not have to remain this way and I am alive for a reason. As Borg in Star Trek said: “Resistance is futile.” My gift is inherent from the cosmos.
D: And finally, how do you feel now that we are done?
M: (Laughs)…I finished. You really had me thinking.
D: Well, you did amazing! Thank you again Michael for opening up to me and for your insights. I wish you a fantastic afternoon.