A tribute to Manel Watawala on her birthday - June 23

23 June 2021 05:03 am Views - 718

She may not be my sister. She may not be related to me by blood, but when this beautiful girl married our nephew, Sunil, in August 1971, she became our niece and a part of our family. Since then and up to her departure, she really lived up to be one of us. She was there and everywhere when her husband needed her. She was beside him in all his activities and travels, both local and overseas. She was his strength behind his Lionism and behind the lives of the two children together they brought into this world - Kanchana and Malsha. She looked after helpless uncles and relatives - saw to their needs. Her home was open to friends and relatives alike. She never failed to serve a meal with kindness, anytime of the day. She was always brave enough to appear for the sake of the family when they needed her support. She braved and battled a “war” and ultimately fell, not as a coward, but as a fearless, gentle giant. Whenever I spoke to her over the phone, which I did quite often, from thousands of miles away, I heard a happy “Hello Nenda”, and this still rings in my ears. Every year, I call on her to wish a Happy Birthday but this year she is not around anymore. We all miss her. 
May she attain Nibbana. 

Pearl Nenda
Auckland, New Zealand.