Thank you my friend, counsellor and most of all, dear mother
I can’t thank God enough for choosing Ammie to be my mother on my earthly pilgrimage. How blessed I am to have had her; she was kind, generous and an example to us all. Ammie went to be with Jesus a few months ago. Her death was sudden - painless with no suffering. She lived a full life and gave of herself unstintingly to all who came to know her and associate with her.
Her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ kept her cheerful through life’s ups and downs. Though she could have chosen to have whatever she desired in terms of worldly things, she chose to walk with the less fortunate, giving of her time, talents, and possessions to many who didn’t have the blessings she did. Countless are the stories we hear now, of her generosity and kindness.
She, together with Thathie, went the extra mile always, to help those in need, sometimes sacrificing much. While she did help many people external to the family, I always felt that her love began at home. She first saw to the needs of Thathie and us three children, and as the family expanded, the needs of our spouses, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was generous; she would give and give and give. Whether it was cooked food, linen, or other necessities for our homes, she would be the first to see the need and provide it. She loved to buy gifts for those around her, and took delight in wrapping them beautifully and inserting a card, before joyfully giving it to the receiver.
Till about two years before she died, there was never a day when she wouldn’t sew something for someone, and not just for family but for many others too. As I remember she sewed sarongs for each of my brothers till about a year ago and all my clothes were stitched by her during my growing up years. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the happy recipients of the numerous beautiful dresses she sewed. She passed on her skill in sewing to many, including to girls who came regularly to the YWCA, which was a part and parcel of her life, and where she enjoyed serving, for a good part of her life.
Her culinary capabilities and hospitality are things many would remember. Various people from different walks of life were fed and looked after by her, not just at home but in hospital and in other places of need. I can’t count the number of times she has entertained people, with her excellent organizational skills.
Her wise advice and her simple values have helped us to see what really matters in life. I still remember her saying that, as much as she appreciated us doing well in school and in other places, we would never have our school reports or certificates hanging around our necks; what was more important was that we did our best at a job allocated to us, in the presence or absence of the person who had allocated the job. This bit of advice given to me in my childhood years is always a reminder to do my best in whatever task at hand, be it at home or elsewhere. She was a lady of a few words, but the few words she spoke, spoke volumes.
I have learnt much from her, but know that I am not fit to hold a candle to Ammie. Thank you darling Ammie for all you were to us and all that you passed onto us. You lived a good life, depending and trusting in your Saviour and friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now enjoy His presence in the mansion He has prepared for you. You were my mother, my friend, my counsellor and a great example to me– thank you from my heart. I will always love you. Your smile and positive attitude will always be a hallmark that will be remembered.
With much, much love and grateful thanks to God for your life of beauty and example.