Appreciations

She was a faithful wife and loving mother. Dear mother, one sorrowful and painful year has passed since you left us on that dreadful day, June 28 last year. 365 days is a long period of time but for all those who were dear and close to you it’s shockingly short.

Our home is no longer the one it used to be. The happiness and joy we all shared seems to have gone with your departure, the empty chair in our living room which you occupied still in its same place bears testimony to the vacuum your leaving us has created.

However, looking at it gives me the strength, courage and endurance to pass each day knowing very well that although you are not bodily present your spirit sits there. Unlike many I am blessed to visit and see your grave many times a month on my way to and from town. It gives me the opportunity to say a short prayer each time.

Almost three quarters of your 86 years on earth you shared as a faithful and dutiful wife with your husband and as a loving and caring mother to your two sons. You also had the rare opportunity of sharing 50 of those blissful years with your husband the late Thomas Newton Johnson, who was an outstanding gentleman and officer who served our country and the Sri Lanka Army as a Regimental Sergeant Major (Ceylon Engineers). I still remember with gratitude how you single handedly brought us up in our childhood days and thereafter the advice and guidance you gave us when we were in our teens. We salute you for making us what we are today.

Although sad, let's not forget those happy days we spent together as a family. All of us deeply appreciate what a wonderful lady you have been. This thought brings solace to our lives and gives us all what we need to forge ahead in life.

We pray today that some day we shall all be together as the united family that we were. Till we meet again Mother – goodbye.

Your memory brings us solace