Fitting farewell
IN life’s journey, we too get to encounter some sad, painful and sorrowfilled moments and experiences. We shed some tears too.
On Saturday morning, March 4, 2023, at 9.30am, my good and very caring pilot friend, Koro, his teenage son, Gabriel, and I entered the big village Methodist Church in Nawaka, Nadi on the sad occasion of Thanksgiving service for teenager and Natabua High School, and Fiji U-20 rising rugby star, Ratu Pasikali Naevo, the son of Ratu Apisai and Jessica Naevo.
This big Methodist Village church was jam-packed to capacity.
The huge congregation could have easily signified an elderly high chief was being farewelled in his church. Low and behold, young Ratu Pasikali was accorded the highest respect for thousands to witness. The occasion was live-streamed too.
The church service started an hour late in order for various protocols to be accorded. Upon the funeral cortege’s entry into Nawaka, Ratu Pasi was given his fitting farewell in the chiefly home of the Momo Levu, na Tui Nawaka.
The Natabua High School marching band, pall bearers and accompanying proud fellow students admirably brought their fallen rugby star and hero for the last time to his village church.
The numerous accolades accorded to Ratu Pasikali confirmed the rich legacy this fine young man has now left behind. An almost unbeatable rich legacy many stirring words were spoken during numerous eulogies.
In my view, in spoken iTaukei and English, the principal of Ratu Pasi’s high school, Natabua, Verendra Sharma, captured enormous attention and even drew applause. There were several moments when the congregation could not help, but choke. Tears flowed. Such fitting tributes beyond comprehension for this fallen teenage rugby hero.
Ratu Pasi’s mum Jessica Naevo’s hymn, bravely sung to emotional
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XE200
Sony SRS-XE200 perfection, and a highly-charged fitting farewell to her fallen teenage son, brought an overflowing of tears. Many wept silently, me included).
As the funeral cortege exited his village church for the last time, shortly after 1pm, mourners in every vatunaloaloa in the village rara and every verandah, sat in hushed silence in utmost reverence and respect for their fallen teenage rugby star and hero.
Our sincere sympathies and heartfelt condolences must go to Ratu Aipsai and Jessie Naevo, families, extended families, relatives and friends.
Your loss is enormous. Your grief, sorrow and pain is offered to the Lord your God. May you find strength in Him to carry on, each passing day.
Moce ro va sewa, Ratu Pasi. E sa teimata
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na leda saravou dokai. E sa rewa na leya itavi. Me lemu na bula tawamudu ena serau na leda Turaga Levu, na Tamada e cecere sara.
Your caring retired kai Nadi shares his thoughts most respectfully. We will all meet again, some sweet day, in distant shores between pearly gates where roses, orchids, seni jiale and senibua, never fade. Rest well.
We were privileged to witness the vanua of Nawaka, Nadi proudly farewell their teenage son with so much dignity and respect.
Our thanks must go to the distinguished presence of the Coalition Government’s delegation including the Fiji Rugby Union’s HPU officials.
RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
I THINK the team needs to monitor on their discipline and also cut down on individual plays. SHALEND KUMAR Navua
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