Mother-daughter birthday bash

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It is rare that friends and family are given the treasure of an opportunity to join a mother and daughter in celebrating their birthday. Especially when both do not share the same birthdate but, because of their love and bond, opt to shrink the days to facilitate one birthday celebration.

So it was on Friday, February 10, when the charmingly lovely Seya Henry-Wilson, daughter of university lecturer Maxine Henry-Wilson, and hubby attorney Gladstone Wilson, combined her 23rd birthday celebration with that of her mom's 60th. To make for one smasheroni, they chose the theme '60-23'. Seya's birthday was February 15 and Maxine's was February 1.

Both Henry-Wilson and daughter Seya are interesting and accomplished women at differing ends of the spectrum; at 60, Henry-Wilson has distinguished herself in the field of politics, having served as the first and only female general secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) to date and boasting the distinction of being the youngest senator to have served in the Upper House. She is also highly regarded for the transformational role she played as the minister of education.

On the other hand, with her mother as her role model, Seya is set on following her mother's footsteps into representational politics and has been busy learning her craft and developing the competence to become an outstanding political representative.

As a potential political heir, Seya has already distinguished herself as a transformational force, by shying away from the tribalistic appeal of the politics of yesteryear which had lines of demarcation clearly drawn in the sand. Back then, friends were only determined after their political bona fides and pedigree are established.

Seya has been charting her course to fulfilling her ambition to serve and hers is a chart worthy of commendation in that like the illustrious footsteps of her mother, young Seya is all set to serve with a difference.

So to celebrate the lives of two women, one at the pinnacle of her achievements and the other about to embark on her own journey, friends, relatives and one-time political colleagues gathered at the upper St Andrew residence of friends of long-standing, Kirk and Maureen Chang. Luvs, it was a love fest and then some!

Luvs, it was a gathering of some of the country's leading citizenry and then some. It was a fabulous mix of the politicos, the intelligentsia and the aficionados of chic, all out in party regalia for the double birthday celebration.

Charming outing

Dears, hosted à la poolside, the event made for a charming outing and nothing but, from guests entered the fashionable residence with its fabulous gardens and lush lawns. The air of celebration was made clear with festive decorations that festooned the poolside and deck. From the party-size bar and its premium libations and a battery of waiters and waitresses to the station hosting one magnificent fare, it was all fab and nothing but!

But dears, if the august gathering of friends, colleagues and the scrumptious fare were not enough to underline the special nature of the gathering, then the toasts that followed the opening of the floor by compère Tony Pearson made for some heart-warming moments. Friends shared with each other their memories and anecdotes that underline the very essence of their friendships and relationships over the years.

Dears, talk about a love fest! Luvs, it was all that and more, but the evening's highlight (and luvs, there were many) was decidedly the toast proposed by Seya and that of her mom who chose to sing along to Frank Sinatra's My Way, as her signature response to the many toasts and testimonials offered up in her honour and praise by her friends and relatives and it made for a very fab moment.

It was an evening of charm and beauty made that much more so by the 'command performance' by the internationally acclaimed Ken Boothe, whose performance made crystal clear the reason this legendary singer is revered among the pantheons of reggae greats.

But dears, what a fabulous night!

Amid the sips and spills, there was some simply fabulous dancing, wonderful company and a repast befitting the celebratory outing! Dears, it was all a fitting testimonial to a life of service and of service to come.

Among those out were Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips and his wife, legal luminary Sandra Minott Phillips; Transport and Works Minister Dr Omar Davies and wife Rose; Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill; Mining and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; Dr Morais Guy and wife Nadine; Senator K.D. Knight; Junior Minister Julian Robinson; Members of Parliament Dr Dayton Campbell and André Hylton; Senator Bobby Montague; Lawton Heywood and Dr Sonia Henry-Heywood.

Also out were Arnold and Clare Bertram; Steve Ashely; Colin Campbell; Dr Donald and Barbara Rhodd; the fashionable Janet Madden; Carrole Guntley; Allan Rickards and wife Claudette Jackson-Rickards; businessman Richard Lake; Professor Edwin and wife Maria Jones; Monica Campbell McFarlane; Dr Jody-Ann Jarrett; and the fabulous Dr Renée Morgan, and her sister the equally fabulous Allison Shaw.

Also out: Dr Tiffany Francis; Dennis Wright; Philip and Melanie Schwapp; the lovely Angela Amir; the stunning Maureen German, in from London; Beverley Ferguson-Smith; Shana Bernard; Cordell Grant; Chris Moore; Andrea Moore; Don and Isaiah Brownie; Dawn Ruddock; Jessica Jones; Phillip Street-Callings; Imani Collings; Nicholas and Jeunette McNeil-Manley; Tracey Brown; Nadia Johnson; Michelle Wong-Sam; Mary and Stephen Whittingham; Camielle Parchment; Ludlow Rennicks; Charmaine Rhoden; Stephan and Marilyn Wright; Dan Kelly; the charming Thelma Johill; Andrew Swaby; Gianna Fakhourie; Jean-Paul Levy; the oh-so-beautiful Aliya Leslie; Venesha Phillips; Tsahai Phillips; Odette Perry; Alethia Barker; Tony and Emmy Lewars and Gregory Lawrence.

We spotted: Carolyn Dennis; Debbie Welch; Patrick Allen; Sarah Beckford; Makieda Beckford; Donna Brown; Patrice Samuels; Carol Lawes; Lenworth and Janice Gentles; Simone Gentles; Candace Gentles; Obinna and Natalya Blake; Leanna Heywood; and the lovely Joy Lindo-Smith, in from London; plus several others!

 Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer