Appreciations

On November 27, 2007 it was six months since you left us; a husband and father par excellence, a man of great qualities and a strict disciplinarian – this is how we could describe you, for these qualities you instilled in us have made us successful today.We might have thought that you were too strict towards us, but today we feel how right you were and miss you so much. Although a silent person towards the latter stages of your life, the void you left behind now echoes in our ears.

A moment of the day does not go by without at least one of us remembering you. We never needed a repairman to carry out any repairs in our home: You did them to perfection. Your favourite place in the house was a stool you used to keep by the entrance to the garage, where you sat and went into deep thought. No one could read your thoughts. Today that stool is still at the entrance of the garage, but stands alone, only a memory.

You used to like it when Gehan and Dhanushka visited you. Gehan used to be your “help” in the garden where you spent most of your time. Dhanushka kept you entertained with his naughtiness, which you loved.

The day before you died is a day that will always remain in the minds of all of us. We visited you in hospital and there were tubes and machines all around you. When we bid you goodbye that evening, you raised both your hands, as if to say “I may not be here tomorrow”. Normally on other days you used to look at us until we reached the door of the hospital ward, but on that day you turned your face to a side, as if you could not bear to see us go.

Although it is more than six months since your death, it is difficult for us to come to terms that you are no longer around. The difficult times we encounter are erased completely and we feel that it is you who are protecting us and guiding us in our day-to-day activities. You never openly expressed love, but we always knew that you loved us dearly; it was spontaneous.

We'll always remember
That special smile,
That caring heart,
And you being there
For Mama and us
Through good and bad times,
No matter what.
We’ll always remember
You Dad because
There will never be another one
To replace you in our hearts,
And the love we will always
Have for you.

We always knew you loved us dearly