Clotilda Muriel Jayaratne
My late mother, Clotilda - Clotty to her friends - was the fifth child of Valentine Samarasekera, son of Muhandiram H.P.P. Samarasekera of Hunupitiya. Her mother, Miriam Mina Dekker was a burgher. Grandma was a health nurse. Although grandpa was estranged from his family circle for marrying a burgher, he had his own house and property at #20, Atapattu Road, Dehiwala. Amma had attended Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala and had been a bright pupil. Once I remember her showing me an old report card of hers. Amma’s handwriting was straight and beautiful.
Shelton, who was courting Clotilda’s eldest sister Dolly, was Samson’s friend. Of an evening, Samson (my father) had accompanied Shelton to #20. Clotilda had served them tea. Thus had love-at-first-sight had blossomed between Sam and Clotty. Flattery apart, Amma was one of the prettiest ladies I have seen in life. Later on, she had given me, her first born, birth at #20.
Subsequently, my parents had decided to settle down in Kandy. As a result all my siblings were born in Kandy. Sam and Clotty bore 3 boys and 3 girls, including yours truly.
Father worked as a tax consultant and Amma was behind his every move. Some neighbours called them The Needle and The Thread. Our home at Katukele was a hive of activity. Amma made it sure that no one left our doors without having at least a cup of tea. Amma chose her clothes carefully, carried herself well, dressed smartly and was an accomplished hostess with a beaming smile.
By and by they built a homesweet-home for us on a hillock at Kundasale-upon-mahaweli. Yours truly, being the eldest, was made to do most of the spade work. Amma banked on me. She sent me hither thither on errands and what not. There was a time when I was wondering whether Amma was not feeling sorry for me. At no point could I say NO to her because she was firm and meant business. Thanks to Amma, for, whenever I now say NO... I am able to stick to it.
Out of the blue a bolt descended, as it were, making me aloof from Amma for a period. During that period my parents had been at the mercy of my sisters; sitting with sisters’ children, to the point of neglecting their own health.
On re-union I found my parents deflated. Father had had suffered a stroke. Amma...a diabetic!!! The fealty of Amma was such, that despite her frailty, she nursed Father round the clock unto his death.
Plaudits for my brothers and sisters for caringly looking after Amma, unto her death on 15/12/2011 aged 83.
In memory of my darling Mother, I shall continuously leave crumbs for feathered friends on the window sill.
And if providential, may she sometimes... remember...
Bandula Jayaratne