Dear Latika, It’s been 3 days since James passed away. I couldn’t bring myself to speak to you or even write to you till now. I feel as though I have suffered 2 bereavements in a short space of time- losing Amirtha last month and the death this month of James,a dear cousin and very dear friend.
What can I write to you at this time? If is easy to sprinkle the usual words like “sympathy “and “condolence “all over the letter but they are too hackneyed to reach the heart of personal grief or bring real consolation. Apart from your faith, it is memories,even if they are heartbreaking at first,that will ultimately bring comfort and acceptance. That is how I am trying to come to terms with the death of Amirtha and that of James.
There is so much to remember about him-his imposing presence,his deep faith,his eloquence (“the best preacher in the country”in the words of the late Ranji Senanayake.),his infectious friendliness,his readiness to help anyone who needed help,his humility in the way he treated his carers and the domestic helpers, his deep love of his family and so much more. Someday, when I can bring myself to engage in “anecdotage” about him without becoming emotional,maybe I will share some hilarious memories of him.
He has gone where he belongs and I like to believe that the rafters of heaven must be reverberating to the sound of his roof-shaking laughter !
Love to you all from me, Punitha,and the families of Savithiri and Jeeva. J.H. Ariaratnam.
Dear Latika, It’s been 3 days since James passed away. I couldn’t bring myself to speak to you or even write to you till now. I feel as though I have suffered 2 bereavements in a short space of time- losing Amirtha last month and the death this month of James,a dear cousin and very dear friend.
What can I write to you at this time? If is easy to sprinkle the usual words like “sympathy “and “condolence “all over the letter but they are too hackneyed to reach the heart of personal grief or bring real consolation. Apart from your faith, it is memories,even if they are heartbreaking at first,that will ultimately bring comfort and acceptance. That is how I am trying to come to terms with the death of Amirtha and that of James.
There is so much to remember about him-his imposing presence,his deep faith,his eloquence (“the best preacher in the country”in the words of the late Ranji Senanayake.),his infectious friendliness,his readiness to help anyone who needed help,his humility in the way he treated his carers and the domestic helpers, his deep love of his family and so much more. Someday, when I can bring myself to engage in “anecdotage” about him without becoming emotional,maybe I will share some hilarious memories of him.
He has gone where he belongs and I like to believe that the rafters of heaven must be reverberating to the sound of his roof-shaking laughter !
Love to you all from me, Punitha,and the families of Savithiri and Jeeva. J.H. Ariaratnam.
