My name is Mildred Bodington and I've been a retired banker for 16 years. I was in the bank for 25 years and I only liked the first five. I wanted to leave but it was like I just couldn't. I don't know if it was God's will that I stayed there but, everything I tried, it just wasn't happening.
After 20 years constantly praying to be relieved, it came out of the blues, like a thief in the night. I got early retirement. God worked it out. They selected only 60-something to give them early retirement and I was one. Nine months before, people wouldn't believe, I got a word from God, saying, "I'm now about to answer your long-unanswered prayer."
But I had been praying for so many things, I really didn't know what God was talking about. And that is when that came and happened. Nine months later. Leaving the bank was like coming out of a jail. Not to have to get up every day and say, "Oh, my God, do I HAVE to do this?" I have Amerindian blood in me. It makes me feel more Trini.
I'm a deeply practising Catholic. I am married but only on paper form. I've been only married on paper form over 30 years. I haven't even seen my husband since 1990. As far as I'm concerned, it's over. I never divorced, up to this day. I don't believe in divorce.
Thirty years ago, I met this guy in a hotel in Barbados, at breakfast. He was just looking at me. He followed me to my room. He wants to read my palm! I said, "I think you want to hold my hand in smart." He insisted. He said I was going to become famous like Vidia Naipaul! I said, "I can't see that!" You wouldn't believe how I hated writing in those days.
But, strange enough, a couple years after, I eventually did a writing course. It came in my way. I was working in the bank and was apparently the only one who signed up. I did the course. And now everybody tells me how good I could write. All my friends tell me I have bestsellers in me and I should write a book. But probably his words may come to pass!
I'm planning on writing either an autobiography or some sort of thing. I would not like to depart this world without putting down my experiences because it may be profitable to the younger generation. As it comes up, I put it on the computer now. But I don't know when I'll actually get down to the real macaw. Reading was never one of my hobbies. I'll go to the movies if someone invites me. I wouldn't go alone. I'm not no freak!
I love dancing. Always did. And, if you ever see me dance, you would believe. Anybody who see me dance is just.... marvel! I like good music. Dancehall. Some rap is good. Rock is good, pop is good. Is just one I don't like. The Rasta music. Not reggae, I love reggae. And I could reggae too! Not rockers, they have some good ones. But I don't like one particular one, but I can't remember which one it is. Is Jamaican, and is not reggae, rockers or dancehall.
I don't go to bed; I go to sleep when I'm ready to sleep. I stay awake, work, go on the computer. If I'm ready to sleep ten o'clock in the morning, seven o'clock in the night, I go to sleep. If I was ready to sleep now, I'd go to sleep now. I used to have birds in cage but fortunately, I do not have to encage them now, because I am surrounded by birds. The doves are always cooing and making love on my windowsill. I think I have more birds than Asa Wright.
The best thing about taking early retirement was the feeling of freedom. There isn't a down side, like, say, losing the low-interest loan facility: I am a retiree, so I have retired with all my benefits.. A Trini is someone who has Amerindian blood running in their veins. All the others are so-called Trinis. Trinidad and Tobago is my world and my life. I like to travel to other countries. But I want to stay here.
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