Appreciations

 

A message of whispering hope
Shirmal Fernando
“Hope as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil of the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal”

These lines from the largely unsung last verse of the immortal song, ‘Whispering Hope’ written some 150 years ago underline the trusting faith and expectant hope with which the family members and friends of Shirmal Fernando mark the 1st anniversary of his death on Wednesday March 1, which also happens to be Ash Wednesday.

The dynamic young company director passed away not to the end of life but to a new beginning after battling for 30 years with a rare blood disease. Right through it Shirmal had the grace and the courage to battle through the struggle and battle through the suffering instead of seeking or pleading for a way out of the struggle or the suffering.

As the world commemorates Ash Wednesday, Shirmal would be experiencing first hand and in a definitive way the words of a song for the day:
“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day,
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories fade away,
Change and decay in all around I see,
O Thou who changeth not, abide with me”

During Christmas time last year – the first Christmas without Shirmal for the family – the precious memories were also filled with tears. But for those who were near and dear to Shirmal, the Lord gave through the words of ‘Whispering Hope’ and other inspirational songs, a very special grace. It was the gift of pain and joy going together in a sort of a wedded bliss. It was a deep experience where amidst sadness, tears and pain there was at the same time an inner strength and courage which is the joy of the Lord.

In any event, situation or tragedy like the death of the beloved Shirmal, the Lord has led his family and friends into an experience where Christ dies, Christ rises and Christ comes again. In the immediate aftermath of the despair and loneliness, Christ dies. When trusting faith and expectant hope revive the spirit in the assurance that all is now well with Shirmal, Christ rises and comes again to give joy amidst the pain and sadness.

On this 1st anniversary of his death, family members and friends would say – “Thank you Lord for Shirmal and thank you Shirmal for being with us in spirit and whispering to us the inspiring words: “Then when the night is upon us, why should the heart sink away. When the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day”.

A friend

A Thanksgiving service for Shirmal will be held on Wednesday March 1, at 6.30 p.m. at “Lankarama”, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference Hall Chapel, No 19 Balcombe Place Off Cotta Rd. Borella.


Memories of a lasting and exciting friendship
Claude Fernando
I was saddened by the news of the untimely demise of Claude Fernando. He was my childhood friend since our Sunday school days at St. Peter’s and again as students at St. Peter’s Day School, both at our native Koralawella. Though we attended Moratuwa’s rival schools, Claude at Prince of Wales and I at St. Sebastian’s, our friendship remained intact.

We were also in the Youth Fellowship movement as adults where Claude took a more active role. In the town of Moratuwa, the Claude-Sheridan duo was registered as a unique combination till with Roy, we stood out as the famous Jim Reeves and Hank Locklin fans among the Moratuwites. Music was the common factor of this trio. We organised picnics, boat trips to the Bolgoda lake and Panadura. Other music lovers of our age group joined us on these trips. I can still recall organising pilgrimages and sing-songs at Christmas time et al and bathing at Bolgoda not to mention in the sea.

On completing school, Claude joined the private sector while I joined the State sector. Yet we were inseparable. The Debate Forum on Sunday kept us amused and yet engaged in heated arguments on various subjects including politics, religion, cricket. Often the atmosphere at the Sunday Forum was hot but friendly.

When he took the plunge, I was his bestman. Often we donned the identical attire being dress-conscious. We even had the same brand of sports cycles and other things in common. This went on till we nearly fell in love with the same girl.

Ultimately it was the sea that parted us when I decided to go abroad but we kept in touch via the mail and the female. I had the good luck of meeting Claude again recently after a long stint overseas. We did a pilgrimage to the Anglican Church at Hambantota where we recalled the good old schooldays, church days and thereafter.

Claude was unassuming and could befriend any outsider at short notice. He had an aptitude for journalism and said he dreamt often of being a gentleman of the fourth estate. He used to contribute articles and letters to the press.
Last year on my last visit to my home country, I had the pleasure of phoning him to wish him a Happy B’day. I reckon he had a premonition about his death. I learnt that he had detailed his funeral arrangements and even penned his obituary. Christians need not fear death for it is the gateway to life eternal. If we believe that Christ lives in our day to day life, death is only a case of our living with Him, as the famous author cum preacher Bishop Fulton Sheen once said.

Claude is no more but he will continue to live in the memory of the parish circles of St.Peter’s, Koralawella and elsewhere. He leaves behind his dear wife, Leonie and daughter Lakshini. Our friendship has been exciting, adventurous and memorable and Claude will not be forgotten by many, and least of all by me.

“Adios” my friend in the jargon of our idol Gentleman Jim and may you rest in peace.

Sheridan Fernando


There was never a dull moment with her
Susyma Pinto Jayawardene
It is three months since the departure of my dear friend. It gives me an eerie feeling to write about someone who has been so close to me; Susyma was so much alive and part of my world for over 30 years and now she is no more!
I came to know Susyma way back in 1972. She was my neighbour and a colleague on the staff of Girls' High School, Kandy. We travelled to and from school together with our daughters. She would carry a flask of tea for herself and made an extra cup for me too for our tea break. When I protested she said it was no problem making tea for two.

This went on till we retired. That's how thoughtful she was. She used to say that I was the sister she never had. Our tea breaks were quite enjoyable. A group of us would sit together and our conversation would range from cookery to gardening, sewing to child raising. It was such a pleasant break from the classroom routine. Susyma had so many interests and she had so much to contribute. I will remember those tea breaks for a long time. She was a great cook and also took great pride in her garden. In school she was an excellent teacher and loved by her pupils. At home she was an excellent hostess, housewife and mother.

As a friend she was always there for me in times of need. I will always remember her for her delightful humour and cheery laughter. In her company there never was a dull moment. In times of stress she kept calm and quiet and had the knack of dealing with problems in her own inimical style.

After retirement, Susyma and Brian left Kandy to settle down in Colombo to be with the children. Though we had to part we stayed "just a phone call away". We would talk to each other almost every week. How much I miss those chit chats now! Susyma was taken ill in 2002 and the news of her illness was indeed devastating for everybody who knew her. She was so normal till then. In the hands of experts she was treated and thanks to them she was given an extra span of life. During this period she showed great courage and fortitude. Our phone conversations resumed after she returned home. She did not think of herself as a patient. She told me she was trying her best to keep the house running smoothly without being a burden to her family.

She involved herself in church activities and social service work as much as she could. Though she put up a brave front, with the passage of time it was plain to see she was fading. In the end she lost her battle to cancer.
Susyma is no more but her memory will live on for a long time. My thoughts go out to Brian, Sureni and her family and Kishali. Susyma was very proud of her children especially her grandsons. She would tell me about their achievements from the time they cut their first teeth till they passed their O/Ls. Her family made her very happy and I am sure this knowledge should lessen their sorrow.
We will not see her again. Susyma is gone. She came, she played her part in life's drama and left. Birth, Death.. this is the eternal law of the Universe. To quote the words of a popular hymn
"Time like an ever rolling stream
Bears all its sons away
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day."
We can do nothing about it but wipe a tear and move on. Farewell my dear friend. It was nice to have known you!

Pat Jayatilleke


A mentor and advisor to many
Najmuddin Lukmanjee
December 16, 2005, a Friday morning dawned bright and clear, but brought sad news of the death of a dear one and shocked family, relations, friends and the Bohra community.

Naju bhai as he was affectionately known by one and all was about 75 years old but very young at heart. At the time of his death in the town of Bagasra in the state of Gujarat in India he was on one of his usual Indian pilgrimages and staying at his wife’s brother’s house.

On that Friday morning, he got up for Fajar Prayers and went for his usual rest before breakfast. This rest was to be eternal. He was a disciplined man of high principles and punctual in all his prayers as well as his exercise. He always kept up with local and international happenings.

He was wealthy but with a humbleness you rarely see in people today. An avid traveller, he liked to experience different modes of transport wherever he went. A mentor and advisor to many, his greatest happiness was to help people in need.

Sakeena Mazahir Mu Hassenally


Thank you for being my friend
Olsen Autry (Lucky) Ferdinands
Thanks, dear friend, for being there
When my life seemed to lead me nowhere.
Thanks, dear friend, for giving me sweet hope,
Strength and courage, in heart-rippling moments,
To cope.

Thanks, dear friend, for listening - even to little things - I had to say
When no one cared to guide me on my way.
My friend, in my mind, pleasant memories of you will grow and grow
And, in the garden of my heart, the sweetest
Roses, will spring up, for you, row on row.

Rodney Mervin Downall


She radiated charm
Amina (Chaslyn) Jaldin
Charming, charismatic, cheerful in life,
Cool and courageous in the face of strife,
A loving mother, a devoted wife,
That was Amina Chaslyn Jaldin.

She wore a smile wherever she went,
To pain and suffering did not relent,
Joined in the fun, in whatever event,
That was Amina Chaslyn Jaldin.

The courage she showed was amazing,
In spite of the immobility and the aching,
So very co-operative, loving and giving,
That was Amina Chaslyn Jaldin.

She radiated charm, in home and office,
Her friends and family will certainly miss,
We admired her in life, in death we cherish,
The memory of Amina Chaslyn Jaldin.

May her soul rest in everlasting bliss,
Is our fervent prayer and ardent wish,
Goodbye Amina Chaslyn Jaldin.
Mohomed Shiraz Amith

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