It is 11 long years since our beloved mother, Mrs. Sita Soysa, passed away. A lady to the fingertips, she was loved and admired by everyone who knew her.
Judging from old photographs and accounts from older relatives, she must have been a remarkable beauty in her youth. She met our father during her school days, and after their marriage settled down in our father’s hometown, Panadura.
Life after marriage was not a bed of roses for her, yet she was courageous and determined to go through life with a smile, for our sake. We were the whole world to her. She lived her life entirely for us.
Her talents were many. Her dress-making skills were legendary. People would travel from Colombo to Panadura to get Mother to do their sewing. Her bridal outfits were admired by even the best of dressmakers of her day.
Mother’s culinary skills were of the same order. Father loved to entertain, and we recall wonderful dinner parties at our home, where all the food, including the delicious desserts, were prepared by Mother.
It was she who made all our birthday dresses when we were children, with a birthday cake decorated to match our frocks! She and the domestic helpers would stay up all night to prepare the short-eats for the parties.
When we both got married, our mother tailored everything, from the lingerie to the bridal jacket. These were done to perfection.
When Father passed away at the age of 59, Mother had no choice but to manage the business herself. She did so in a most efficient manner.
She was ever ready to help the less fortunate. No one who came to her for help went away empty-handed. Often a sewing girl or a newspaper delivery boy would come to her with a tale of woe. Whatever the problem – financial, domestic, personal – she had a solution.
Mother’s two granddaughters were the greatest joy of her life.
You never troubled us for anything, even in the last days of your life, when you were seriously ill. You did not want to trouble us. Alas, it was too late when we realised the gravity of your illness. You left us with barely a “goodbye”.
Not a day passes that we do not think of you. We miss you so much.
Savitri and Siromi Soysa |
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