Thank you, for your lilting laughter and friendship that bound us together

The 20th of April dawned and treasured memories flooded my mind – it was your birthday. It seemed like yesterday when you celebrated your birthday last year.

You were so excited when asking your school friends to a get-together, organised by your daughter Sonali. That day, you looked radiantly charming in your beautifully embroidered red blouse given to you by Sonali.

We your school friends, especially Daya, Anta, Ira and I, cannot forget you, having spoken to you many times each day. What convsations we had, which acted like a tonic.Thank you, Lorna for your lilting laughter and friendship which kept the bond among us strong.

My memories go back to us being friends from the baby class to the H.S.C., till we left school. But the friendship continued and endured long after. You were one of the first to ring me after the 1983 riots, to see how we were.

Lorna, my pretty ‘Shirley Temple’ in our carefree schooldays at St. Bridget’s Convent, you were the warm, caring, loving person who kept us bonded together.

Friends who always keep in touch are the ones we move towards and we yearn to sit within their radius. When I reflect on my present blessings, the treasured gift of loving friends like you stands as one of the greatest blessings.

Death is inevitable and it comes to all. It cannot be avoided. Life comes to an end like a streak of lightning, a bubble of water, a dewdrop on a leaf or a line drawn on water. But when it comes to one so close, the parting is extremely sad. There is no doubt that time flies with merciless speed, yet one cannot but recall treasured memories.

We may wonder why God created friends and friendship – this is because He made this world with a heart full of love. He knew that we all needed a friend like Lorna to share whatever emotions we experienced. He made special people like Lorna to see us through glad and bad times.

Malini Naganathan