Live wire and pillar of strength

The life of a loving, devoted sister was snatched away from us on June 28, 2019and I do not know whether to call ourselves fortunate or unfortunate to have been standing by her bed, holding her hands and praying while her life ebbed away. 

Residing in the US, Shamala acca turned 80 last year and since her health condition was unstable, Subo and I thought we should visit her. Regrettably, when we landed in the US, she was admitted to hospital. She was overjoyed when she saw us. Although she looked a little frail, she was fine and we never thought she would leave us so soon. 

We went on June 18 and on the 28th, she was gone. Coincidentally, June 28 was our mother’s birthday and God chose that day to take her into his fold. The entire family, Shibani, Wellington, Liza, James, Subo and I were around holding her hands. Subo was saying the prayer for the dying and we could see tears rolling down her cheeks. She had the pleasure of listening to Shevan, singing to her before she closed her eyes. 

Born to Constance and Raju Rajakariar on August 4, 1938, Shamala had her education in Jaffnaand commenced her teaching profession at Little Flower Convent in Bandarawela. Her dedication and commitment in this field took her to the heights of Principal, Wellawatte Tamil Vidyalaya. She was married to James Louis and had two lovely children; Shibani and Shehan. 
Shamala’s life was not a bed of roses. When Shibani was 14 and Shehan 8, she lost her husband and strived hard to bring up the two children. When both children were well-settled in life with two lovely partners Wellingtonand Rajika and three adorable grandchildren - Elizabeth, James and Shevan – tragedy struck her again; she lost her 35-year-old son Shehan in 2009. With Shehan’s death, her health started deteriorating. 

After Shibani’s migration to the USand Shehan’s demise, she continued her life with Shehan’s wife Rajika and son Shevan who was the apple of her eye. When Shevan turned six, she moved to the USwith Shibani where she spent the latter part of her life. Shibani and Wellingtonwere very caring and provided her the best they could, the best medical treatment and a comfortable and happy life during the last six years she spent with them. Her long-lasting wish was to see Rajika and Shevan and they were to visit her shortly, but God had other plans. He decided to take her into his fold before their visit. 

She was the guru and mother figure to her three sisters Premi, Subo and Puvi, and took care of her dad until he was called to eternal rest at the age of 91. 

God knew she had suffered enough and it was time for him to relieve her from pain and offer her a place where she would be granted eternal rest. 

Subsequent to her demise, her old school Wellawatte Tamil Vidyalaya (now known as Wellawatte Ramakrishna Vidyalaya), held a special memorial service for her. It is gratifying to note that even after 20 years of her retirement, the school still valued her services. That shows how much of effort and commitment she had put in to the progress of the school. The speeches delivered at her memorial service focused on how she had developed the school to greater heights and her achievement in negotiating the construction of the three-storey building. 

Acca, you were a committed daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and teacher, and your parting has created a great vacuum. Yet another vital link is detached from the family chain. You are in a special place with God now where there is no grief or pain. So, thank you, goodbye and farewell dear Acca. May your soul rest in peace! 

As in the hymn ‘beyond the sunset’: “In the sweet bye and bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.” 
Puvi Domingopillai