A Life Well Lived

Ashford with his guitar

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So reads the newspaper headline of a report in the Trinidad Express of my brother-in-law's passing a couple weeks ago. Ashford Joseph lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 67. He left to mourn his wife, three daughters, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and thousands of students and fans. Ashford was regarded as a musical icon in his country. In addition to teaching music in several schools, Ashford was founder and principal of Joseph School of the Arts, which spawned many musicians. Ashford trained church choirs, wrote songs (calypsos) for many prominent calypsonians, wrote  books and films and performed the duties of husband, father, and grandfather.

But the amazing thing about Ashford is that he accomplished all this while being blind. He began losing his sight at the tender age of eight, but he did not allow this to stand in the way of his love for the arts. In an interview a few years ago, Ashford stated, "Blindness is not the end, but the beginning of a new life. I have come to terms with the loss of my sight. It does not bother me to the extent of feeling sorry for myself." To achieve his goals, Ashford took classes in Braille, psychology and journalism. From my interactions with him, I know he also had a strong faith in God. 

Ashford's legacy is a rich one. He fulfilled his calling to the best of his ability, and did not allow adversity to stand in his way. There are so many lessons we can learn from his life - his faith, his perseverance, his resilience.

As I think of him, several pieces of scripture come to mind: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4: 7

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.Philippians 4: 13

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3 : 14.

Read more about Ashford here: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160218/features/ashford-joseph-a-life-well-lived

I have come to terms with my loss of sight. It does not bother me to the extent of feeling sorry for myself. - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Blindness is not the end but the beginning of a new life; - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Blindness is not the end but the beginning of a new life; - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Oh Say, Can You See?

No, I'm not trying to sing the American national anthem. I'm simply asking, "Can you see?" Most people may answer this question, "Of course, I can." But I remember when I got my first pair of eyeglasses  I felt like singing, "I once was blind, but now I see." When my little granddaughter, Tyler, just ten years old, got her first pair of glasses two years ago, she said to me, "Grandma, I didn't know my teacher has freckles." Well, now she can see. Of all our senses, I believe we treasure our sight the most. I mean, if you're deaf you can always read someone's lips, or learn sign language, but if you can't see, your whole world is in darkness.

I believe this is why Our Lord  had a lot of compassion for the blind, and during his earthly ministry, he healed all that were brought to him. Some of those recorded are the blind lepers, Matthew 9: 28-29; a blind and dumb demon-possessed man (12 : 22);  two blind men sitting by the wayside ( 20 : 30) ;other blind people who were brought to him ( 15 : 30 - 31; 21 : 14, Luke 7 : 21)  There are three specially recorded instances where Jesus healed the blind that I want to focus on.