For the past few years of sending our the Morning Mirror I have made it a stern practise to
remain apolitical .... however "the time has come" as the Walrus said to the Carpenter.
There are no words to describe the attitude of our people at the moment. Could it be utter
despair ? Could it be misery? Could it be submissive surrender ? Possibly it is abject
desperation ?
We have sunk so low we are unable to climb out of our "slough of despond" ....
A strange silence seems to fill the land, there is no laughter, no anger, no nothing. We are
a nation gasping and reeling in horror at what has passed and at what lies ahead of us.
To put it all in very simplistic terms, In 1993 a gardener earned $300 a month and this
could then buy 150 loaves of bread.
Today 150 loaves of bread cost $450,000.00 and that same gardener, at a wage stipulated
by the Government body, earns $30,000.00 a month ......
We have become a nation of "starers", we stare in horror at the prices in the shops, we
stare in horror at the empty shelves, we stare in horror at the winding bank queues, at the
lengthy ever present queues for the basic commodities that we are no longer able to
afford.
Or we just stare at the floor in misery, poverty and desperation.
Fuel queues are a thing of the past as few people can afford fuel at $14000.00 a litre !!
Working on the black market rates this is 50% more than the cost of fuel in the USA .......
How can a working man provide for his family when his bus fare is now $20,000 a day to
get to work and back home. This means it would cost him about $420,000 a month and
his salary is $300,000.00 a month....... ...
Usually a feisty people, we are all unable to think beyond obtaining our next meal, no
time for thoughts of mass demonstrations and protests.
Would we dare at any rate ? Water cannons pour in from other so called "civilised"
countries and our once protective forces have now become ugly fully armed forces, who
have been given verbal permission from the Top to "bash" all who dare to protest against
this shocking state of affairs.
There are some very wealthy people here, bankers, the top uncivil servants and a handful
of able entrepreneurs. but the rest of the people are literally starving.
What does our future hold ? We either die by the bullet or die of starvation ?
What is the rest of the world doing ? Yawn..... "those ruddy colonies are so tiresome, that
fellow will one day get his come -uppance" ...Yawn....
Jimmy McGroarty.
We have been overwhelmed by all the emails, cards and phone calls following Jimmys
death last week.
His funeral was held on Friday in Kingston with touching eulogies by his proud grandsons
Sandy and Kyle.
We would like to thank everyone for their support, flowers and
condolences and those who were able to attend the service.
We always knew what a popular and loved personality Jimmy was but it was wonderful to
see that so many other people felt the same way.
Theresa spent 66 years with Jimmy and she is dealing with his loss with dignity and
strength, he would be so proud of her.
DONALD AND ANN U.K.
From: hdonald233@blueyond er.co.uk
Jimmy Mc Groarty.
Dearest Theresa (Gaga), Jim, Anne, Jack & Families,
How very sad we were to learn of Jimmy's (Grandpa Jim) passing. He was such a wonderful
man, and 'adopted' Grandpa to many kids, and the most wonderful Father Christmas ever!
So many wonderful memories. Our love to you all.
Stef, Dave, Kim & Carl
THE LATE GREAT JIMMY MCGROARTY
I had a very strenuous task on Friday morning, it was Jimmy's Funeral. It was held at
Kingston Crematorium which is situated in the grounds of Kingston Cemetery,a very pretty
place,especially it being what they call a 'nice' morning here. In fact it was pretty
good,being and early spring morning. The magnolia trees are out in full blossom and all
the lawns are full of daffodils. This would make you think that winter's over, WRONG. Today
and for the first half of next week the forecast is for snow over most of England,we have
an Arctic blast on it's way from the North(nowadays they seem to be pretty good at these
weather forecasts!). Anyway back to the funeral. It was held at 9am,now after a recent bout
of fluI seem to be left with an athsmatic condition,which leaves me very short of breath
when walking. Consequently I need to stop every 100yds or so for "a blow up".I caught a
bus as close as I could but was still left with a hike of about a mile to the cemetery. Not
having been there before, I'd downloaded a map from Transport For London on my
computer. Well this proved to be a diabolical combination. As I said I needed to keep
stopping and resting to get my breath back,well imagine me a 64 year old man leaning on
the nearest wall,lamppost, sign,you name it, anything that could support me,and of course
I kept asking passers by could they help me, "was I on the right road to the cemetery".
With my heavy tortured breathing most of them thought I'd never make it !!! Others didn't
seem or want to know what I was talking about. One beautiful young Indian girl tried to
help,she walked on a bit then came back and asked me "Was it a pub that I was looking
for?!".I eventually arrived at the cemetery just as Jimmy's family and the few friends that
had made it were emerging from the chapel after the service. We all then adjourned to a
Pub near Twickenham,the St Margarets,where we had to wait for an hour for it to open.
(people of a lesser constitution would have wilted and gone home!).A lovely snack
luncheon was arranged and a good few pints of bitter were consumed by yours truly(My
dialysis matron would have done her nut had she seen me!).Many a tale was told of
Jimmy,and strangely enough I found that like myself it seemed that everyone remembered
Jimmy from playing at places that strangely enough also served alcohol. Many good old
Bulawayo venues were remembered,Matopos Hotel,Windermere, The Glass Castle,The
Crows Nest,The McMurray Hall,Essexvale Hotel,The Round House(Hotel Rio)Ascot Race
Course,The Parkin Motel,The Palace Hotel(where I think he played for your
wedding?).Anyway I can assure everyone that Jimmy was sent away in good spirit!.Cheers
from a to be cool London. One Carol comes to mind,"In the deep mid winter,softly winds
made moan" 'cause that's what I can hear outside now
Geoff Crimes
EDWARD (TED) TIPLER
Much loved husband to Gulli, father to Susan, Wendy and Peter. Passed away peacefully in
the early hours of the morning of 15th March after a long and courageous battle with
cancer. Thanks for all the cherished memories - we will miss you always.
TIPLER: Ted - He was a very special man, always kind and a gentleman through and
through. I am so glad I got to see him in Bulawayo last year and then lunch in Durban.
Gulli, I am so sorry - be strong - I am thinking of you.
Rest In peace dear Ted.
Love
Judy Thomson
Ireland UK
TIPLER: Ted - Gulli we are so sorry to hear of your dear Ted's passing. He was a wonderful
gentleman, and will be sorely missed by who ever knew him.
No more suffering, rest in peace Ted.
With all our love
Roy & Yvonne Thomson
Bulawayo
The very saddest tale came to light last week, when a young Zimbabwean mother was
trying desperately and illegally to cross the Limpopo River to get to South Africa where she
had been promised work.
Leaving behind several children in the care of their grandmother, she took the youngest
baby on her back as it was still being breast fed.
She was found dead from starvation lying beside the river, her baby was found to have
died four days after her, also of starvation and dehydration.
Hundreds of Zimbabwean Border Jumpers are returned to Zimbabwe, the Land of Lost
Hope, by the truck load every day, by the South African Police.
Be The Change:?
Carry an understanding heart today, and teach someone a skill they would value.
We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead
people through the dark. --Whoopi Goldberg
Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because
what the world needs is people who have come alive. --Howard Thurman
"Once we attain a critical mass among people, things begin to change."
Fr Richard Rohr
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