SO WE'VE WAVED goodbye to 2005, and rolled out the welcome mat for the new year. What better time to reflect? As a nation, we went through almost every emotion - happiness, pride, pain and disappointment. But despite the pain and bloodshed, we managed to survive.
The year past was one filled with records - new ones were created and existing ones, shattered. The murder rate spiralled to an all-time high as 1,669 people were killed. The nation was repeatedly shocked with the news of gruesome crimes, many involving women and children. Scandals surfaced, rumours swirled and threats and warnings were issued all around us. We wondered when it would end, we begged for it to end; we wished, we hoped, we prayed.
But although that wish was not granted, several others were. Asafa Powell's world record run made us proud and Sean Paul's new album made record sales, bringing some well-deserved attention to our music and culture. We were also motivated by stories of selfless individuals and corporations who sacrificed what they could to help those in need.
We also had a record year in terms of natural disasters. Hurricanes Dennis, Emily and Wilma paid us unwelcome visits and left a trail of disaster and suffering in their wake.
We've now been given a new slate, and though it has already been tarnished by gunmen, it would be faithless of us to simply give up. We may be unable to control natural disasters, but can we control the way we treat each other and ultimately how the society functions.
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