A life well lived: a Birthday Tribute to T. C. A. (Cecil) De Soysa

T.C.A. or Cecil de Soysa as he was known was my grandfather, and his Birth Anniversary on March 19 will always be special to me. I was his eldest grandchild and my Birthday is a day prior to my darling Seeya.

How does one remember someone who had a lasting impression on one’s life? Personally, I believe that what matters most is the influence he had on your life. The memories he left behind.    

Seeya was someone who, as the saying goes, “Moved with kings, but never lost the common touch”.

One of my earliest memories of him was when he went overseas and bought me a pair of shoes and a suit. My parents used to tell me that I not only insisted on wearing it, but whenever a plane would fly, I would say that it is “Seeya’s plane!”      

When I was three years old, I attended the “Joyce Goonesekera Montessori”. After I finished school, Archcha  (The late Daphne de Soysa) would pick me up and take me to their home. I used to spend the rest of the day there until my mum picked me up after work. However, I did not have my afternoon nap until Seeya came and put me to sleep by giving me a kiss.

One incident I recall is that one day Seeya picked me up from Montessori and therefore I was missing when Archcha came thereafter and was very worried. Needless to say, she gave him a piece of her mind when she returned to their place and found me there!  

In the evenings, he used to take me to his garden and show me his orchid plants. 

The first time I was a flower girl was for my Aunt’s wedding in July 1976. I was shy and unsociable then, so my parents persuaded me to play my part by saying that I must walk up the aisle behind Seeya, which I did. However, I did not walk down the aisle. When my parents asked me the reason for this, I replied, “You told me to walk behind Seeya but not behind Hasantha Bappa!”

As I entered Ladies’ College for my schooling, initially my parents used to take me to Seeya’s office whenever I got my school report. He used to keep me on his lap, read it and give me Rs 10/- for a good report.

My grandfather used to be thrilled to see my articles in the Children’s Pages of newspapers. He often called my mum at work and told her about my articles. He loved to play cards and did so with me often.

Whenever my grandfather travelled overseas, he used to buy me something. On one occasion, he went to Bombay, as it was known then, with the late Uncle Oscar Fernando and was keen to buy a dress for me. Uncle Oscar used to tell me that he did not like it at all!  However, he did not say so to Seeya!                       

Both my Grandfather and Uncle Oscar loved children.

Seeya and Archcha took me to see Vesak, with him driving the car. I enjoyed it and even told them to take me to see the decorations at Temple Trees.            

One of the last memories I have of my Seeya was when he came for my Birthday party in March 1981, the last one he attended.        

Unfortunately, my grandfather got very ill in October 1981, and although the doctors did their best for him, he passed away.         

I often wish I was able to spend more time with him. However, he is now with the Lord, watching over me.

I am not a great writer or poet. I will simply say–

“Thank you, Seeya, for all that you did for me. I will always miss you, but I will hold onto the precious memories I have of you as your eldest grandchild. Those that time nor space cannot erase. I will remember you with much love on your Birth Anniversary on March 19, 2025. 

May you REST IN PEACE.