Ruel celebrates 50!

In the company of dozens of well-wishers, friends and family members, Senator Ruel Reid celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday, June 18 at Jewel Runaway Bay Resort in St Ann.

Guests from Jamaica and overseas included members of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Jamaica College (JC) board chairman Michael Bernard and other members of the JC family were also out to celebrate with Reid. The senator's wife, Sharen, and children, Sharelle and Ruel Jr, were his constant, loving companions throughout the night.

After dinner, it was the children who got the ball rolling, reading a special message to their father, followed by the first of two solo selections by Sherry-Ann Lewis Fletcher.

Toasts and hearty commendations came from Dr Fritz Pinnock, Hector Lewis, R. Danny Williams, and the prime minister, who appointed Reid to the post of minister of education, youth and information in March 2016.

"I think for you to reach a milestone at 50 is significant. I believe that, generally, I have achieved quite a bit in my 50 short years, so I just want to reflect on it," Reid told Outlook. He continued, "Thank God for the life, for health, for strength, and I'm looking forward to continue to serve my country."

TENURE AS MINISTER

He also reflected on his tenure so far as minister.

"The fact of the matter is that in a job like this, you will have high points and low points. It's the nature of the work. Some persons have it early, some people have it later on. I don't think we have a perfect world, and, frankly, sometimes people are a little bit impatient for certain things to happen, but we'll work all the issues out, I'm sure," he stated.

Letters, nearly five feet tall, spelling out his name - RUEL - were placed at the entrance to the hall where the ceremony was being held. Several persons wrote thoughtful messages on the letters for the minister - a tangible reminder of the number of persons he has in his corner wishing him well and supporting him along his journey.