Mama, thank you for the happy memories

Mama as I sit down to write this, my eyes fill with tears. I should have done this earlier but I was in shock after you left me so suddenly. You were the one who nurtured me and made me what I am today. I miss you so very much and always will, and the memories I have of you are many.

Thank you for not only giving me a very happy childhood but for all the sacrifices you made for me right until the very end.

When I was around 10 years old you gave up a very good job at Hemas to look after me. However, your boss, the late Moshin Esufally did not accept your resignation and allowed you to go home daily with me after school and take me for my extra-curricular activities etc.

When I was doing my Ordinary Level and Advanced Level exams, you stayed home from work and cooked all the food I love to eat, fed me and took me for my examinations. When I became a journalist, you read all the articles I wrote for various newspapers and magazines and listened to or watched the radio and TV programmes I worked for. You taught me to follow my dreams and do

what I have a passion for.

You always told me that I got the ‘travel bug’ from your mother – my Archa and gave me every encouragement to travel overseas widely on my own at times. Although we missed each other when we were apart, we kept in constant contact.

Did you have a premonition about your death? You latterly spoke a lot about your family and maybe even then you knew that when you are no longer there for me all of them would take care of me – my uncles, aunts and cousins and for this I can never thank them enough. The person you spoke most was about your favourite sibling Podi Mama. You recalled that as yours was the first wedding in the family your parents gave you a memorable wedding and Archa in particular looked into the most minute details.

Many are the times you said “I must write to Aiya and ask him whether when I pass away I can go into my parents’ grave.” You were never able to do this but I am glad that I was able to fulfil your last wishes.

Life was not easy for you and you had your share of ups and downs but you were one who was able to laugh your cares away.

What I am most proud of was that you accepted the Lord as your personal friend and saviour after going to the Livingway Church. You said towards your latter stages that the only place you want to go to was Church and eagerly looked forward to Sundays.

I am thankful that I was able to do my best for you and give you all the food you liked to eat and get you what you wanted. ‘Mumsy Girl’, ‘Good Girl Mama’ and ‘Mother Dearest’ were some of the nicknames I had for you – my best friend and confidante.

Thank you Mama for all the good times. For all the fun and laughter we shared and for always showering me with much love and care. You were the best mum one could have or ever hope to have. You let me go when you had to but pulled me back and were my shelter from the storm when I had to go through some difficult times.

You told me that I must get back to my writing as soon as possible and that I must do what I like. Yes, I have got back to my writing but I never thought that it would be in writing a eulogy for you.

I am not a great writer or poet so I will simply say:

“Goodbye my darling Mama. Thank you for being the best mum one could have or ever hope to have. I will always miss you but I know I have to move on in the knowledge and assurance that one day I will be join you in eternity. May your soul rest in peace.”