She was like a sister to me

I met Mary Anne Murugesen when she came to work as a telephone operator at the Assembly of God church, Kollupitiya where I worked as a secretary. We got to know each other well and shared a wonderful friendship.

Her mother Aunty Lorna was planning to visit her brother in Bangkok and requested me to come and stay with Mary Anne when she was away. I accepted and thereafter would go and stay whenever Aunty Lorna wanted me to. I got close to the family and they were very kind to me. Later Aunty Lorna had a room built for me and I moved in to stay with them.

Mary Anne was a clever, capable, beautiful, talented, well mannered young lady. She taught me many lessons. She was generous and God fearing. She was like a sister to me. I was the exact oppoosite to her but we got on very well. Her brother too was like a brother to me. I was blessed to have her as my friend and be part of their family.

She was very independent and able to do many things on her own so much so it was difficult to think that she was differently abled. She could sew, cook, decorate cakes beautifully and was computer savvy. She was also able to attend to her affairs with great efficiency.

When she moved to a new house, I was able to help her move but a short time later she was taken ill and had to enter hospital. I waited and prayed with her at the hospital but God saw it fit to take her. Thankfully she did not suffer.

I miss her greatly and am sorry she is no longer with us Memories of the happy times we had will always be with me. I have the assurance that she is with Jesus in Heaven and that I will meet her one day.