The fragrance of her love embraced us all

~ Anopama Hewavitarne

The images of grandparents endure in our hearts as soft shading water colour memories. As does my grandmother, Anopama Hewavitarne – a gracious, graceful lady, incomparable as her name – wife of the late Wimala Dhamma Hewavitarne and daughter-in-law of the late Dr. and Mrs. C.A. Hewavitarne.

The more I reflect upon Archchi’s life, her virtues appear larger than life, and I realize how much we took for granted when she was alive. Her warm, gentle smile as her soft-toned voice, always expressed welcome. Never a harsh word, she was a patient listener who gave her attention to whoever spoke with her. In a world weighed down with worry and stress, there was Archchi, ever ready to shower affection on us and give us time to heal from the bruises of the day. The serenity of her unhurried manner was a legacy of the golden age to which she had been born - an era of wine and roses, now vanished in the misty shrouds of the past. Even in these turbulent times of her last days, she never lost her tranquillity, and accepted the violence she could see around her as characterizing a different time to what she knew. And always, the serenity of her ways was reflected in the colours she chose to wear – her pastel-shaded sarees with captivating colour combinations were a joy to behold. We saw in her, hidden depths of endurance and strength, as she picked up the threads of life and moved on after Seeya’s death. Her patience and creativity came to the fore in her exquisite embroidery, the charming greeting cards, the impeccable candles and the colourful bon-bons she made. How she delighted in watching our kids scream with joy as they pulled the bon-bons during festive times. The fragrance of love that flowed from her gentle heart, embraced us all with the sweet smile on her lips.

As she lived, so she accepted death, gently, gracefully, graciously. She passed away in her sleep one year ago, leaving behind incomparable memories of Anopama, whom I had the good fortune to call “Archchi”.

May she attain Nibbana!

By RJ