A triple birthday shindig!

Chester Francis-Jackson, ContributorIn an era and a land where scapegoating is the order of the day, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga has been made the scapegoat for every ill that has beset both the country and the political organisation that he once led and still holds dear to his heart.
For quite some time, he was the man people love to hate, and has been public enemy number one. Sadly, it took his retirement from active politics and the surrendering of the leadership reins of the Jamaica Labour Party for many in the political arena and across the social divide to acknowledge his contribution to this country.
The history of his dedication and contribution to the country at the cost of self and family, makes liars of those who would cast this patriot in a wholly unflattering light.
Seaga's Achilles heel has been the fact that he was driven by the need to improve the lot of the poor, and governance in general. Still concerned with helping to change the political dialogue, when businessman Patrick Marzouca approached him recently on the eve of his 83rd birthday, with a view to hosting the elder statesman at a reception that would include Transport and Works Minister Dr Omar Davies, who shares the same birthday as Seaga, he welcomed the opportunity.
And so it was that, on May 28, Marzouca pulled off what many say was a social and political coup. He hosted what was, in effect, a triple birthday celebration for Edward Seaga, his son Christopher Seaga, and the transport and works minister, Dr Omar Davies. Dears, talk about coming of age politically. Well, this was one such giant step along that journey.
For the many across the political divide whose vested interests are in the continuing political tribalisation and marginalisation of people and communities for their selfish political ends, the joint celebration and the coming together of their respective families and party members must have been a near-terminal blow.
For the Seagas and Dr Davies, however, it was a celebration long in the making, and one whose time had come. It was not for the sake of symbolism, but for their sheer respect and admiration for each other, even from across the political divide.
And dears, it was indeed a night of respect and admiration, the poignancy of which was highlighted when Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke, in his toast to the birthday 'boys', spoke to their working relationship and friendship over the years.
Dears, it was one very charming night laced with affection and affirmations as the accolades not only flowed in toasts, but in what was truly flawless entertainment. The flawlessly talented Strachan sisters were absolutely fabulous. Lloyd Lovindeer, (one of Mr Seaga's favourite performers) was equally fabulous as an entertainer, using his musical wit to take the 'mickey' out of the celebrants, and it made for an evening of superlatives!
Dears, it was a charmer in style and context as here were the political leaders, their families and friends joined in celebration, sans the rancour and divisiveness that many have come to equate with political leadership, and it made for a simply fab do.
Edward Seaga was 'in his ackee' too, dancing up a storm in between signing autographs and posing for pictures with hordes of guests and his fellow birthday celebrants. Dears, it was a festively fabulous evening, and then some!
Among those out were Edward Seaga's wife and daughter, Carla and Gabrielle; birthday boy Christopher Seaga; Transport and Works Minister Dr Omar Davies, his wife, Rose, and their children; Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet; Karl Samuda; Dr Kenneth Baugh; Babsy Grange; Horace Chang; Desmond McKenzie; Senator Robert Montague; and Dr Paul Robertson. Also out were Dwight Nelson, president of the University of Technology Errol Morrison and wife Fay; the venerable Hugh Hart, in from the Cayman Islands; Christopher and Michelle Bovell; Kenny Benjamin; Paul Hoo; Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin; the charming Barbara McNamee; Eddie Shoucair; Robert MacMillan; Harold Brady; Steve and Betty Ashley; Granville Davidson and wife Dr Marjorie Vassell; Prudence Kidd-Deans; Dr Jonathan Greenland and wife Dr Rebecca Tortello-Greenland; Saleem Lazarus; Edward Barbar and wife Nicole DeMercado-Barbar; Dawn Spence-Heron; the charming Charmaine Anderson; plus a number of other