An angel did live among us
It is said that some people are angels sent from heaven to make our lives amazing. To make us strong, honourable, and decent human beings. They care about us and possess the inexplicable knack of being able to lift us up, reminding us of the best even when we are going through the worst. They show us the importance of loving ourselves, loving life, and appreciating what we have been blessed with. They inspire in us the virtues of discipline, sincerity, fairness and friendship.
Nirangani Perera, Nira to all of us, was one such angel. She was undeniably influential in making the many who worked with me at Delmege Marketing the wholesome human beings we are today. We were all sisters/brothers to her, and she felt responsible for our wellbeing, as an elder sister would.
Perhaps heaven needed more angels and God sent for Nira. She was plucked from us in the most shocking manner. Most of us who knew her would insist that what she had to endure before passing was not merited, especially for this wonderful human being. She was strong and independent and would not have wanted to be dependent on anyone under any circumstances. But I believe, if Nira was here to interpret, she’d have said ‘it is what I had to go through to earn the rewards that await me in heaven’. Such was her faith.
I recall her admonishing my conduct whenever I erred. Both on the job and in my personal life, she pulled me out of situations which would have led to dire consequences or serious damage to my reputation and social standing. At work, she was the glue that held the team together. She understood the strengths/weaknesses and the sensitivities of each one and, was able to guide/charm us to work together as the cordial and most productive team/family we eventually became.
She was fearless and commanded the respect of the whole team; from our genial boss Nihal Wijeratne down to the peon/messenger. Even Mr Wijeratne was not spared from her opinions and recommendations. She was mostly instrumental in creating one of the most pleasant and cheerful working environments I’ve experienced in my long career; I miss those times and the colleagues of that time to this day, though the team still stays in touch, despite being spread across different parts of the world.
Etched in my mind are the moments she used to storm into my cubicle to caution me about smoking within (every time I had a cup of tea, which were many and frequent!!). Nonstop guidance flowed on matters like which agents I should trust, what I should or shouldn’t have said or be saying in different circumstances, how careful I should be when riding/driving, how important it was to go for the novena at Fatima Church nearby, et al. For me, who I’m today and the good place I’m at today are partly due to the care and guidance of Nira; and my colleagues will say the same. She will be sorely missed by all of us, but we acknowledge we have to let her go; that is life. Our hearts broke with sadness when she left us, but we know she’s gone to a better place. We take comfort in knowing that we’d soon meet her. For now, we hold her in our hearts and cherish the memories of her in our minds. May God grant her eternal rest and bliss.
Sunil Lakshmanasinghe on behalf of the Delmege Consumer Marketing Team