She was the epitome of a perfect mother

~ Dotbelle Jayawickrama ~

It’s with deep sorrow that I pay this tribute to my mother who left us 20 years ago on October 18, 1986 at the age of 67.

She was the daughter of Hendry Fernando and Dora Fernando of Matara. Being the eldest in the family of four she had her education at St.Mary’s Convent, Matara. After the untimely death of her father at the age of 56 years, she married my father Sam Jayawickrama who was a public servant and landed proprietor. He was from a well known family from the South and they both settled down in Walasmulla. They were blessed with seven children and lived together for 40 years till the death of my father in 1984.

Mummy was a tower of strength to Daddy at all times. She never failed to give him his morning egg flip coffee as that was one of his favourites. She was fun-loving and had a liking for music. Her favourite songs were “Olu Pipila”, “You are my sun shine” and “Daisy Daisy”. She loved to travel and dress well.

She had a warm heart and was always willing to entertain people to the best of her ability using all her talents. A culinary expert of exceptional ability, Mummy prepared palatable dishes which we relished heartily when we went home for vacations. The annual almsgiving to the Maha Sangha was always prepared by her with great care and devotion. Among her other religious activities and meritorious deeds was the annual offering of the special noon “Buddha Puja” on Vesak Day to the temple at the request of the head priest. She did this too with much care and devotion.

Mummy's death is a big loss to all of us. Sweet memories of her still linger in my mind and heart. I still preserve the last letter she sent to me before she fell sick. The letter ended with ‘nothing else for today. Love to the little ones'. She was always concerned about all of us. We miss her so much, most of all when we recall the happy days with her in our midst.

One of the most memorable were our school holidays when all her seven children were back at home from the school boardings. For her, it was a case of preparing and feeding us with all types of tasty dishes. She was the epitome of a perfect mother.

The unconditional love, guidance and the support she gave us right up to her last days will never be erased from my memory.

~ By Janaki Fernando.