Remembering our angel on her three-month death anniversary

I am glad that I received the opportunity to write a few words about our late sister, Naomi Angela de Silva Wijeyeratne. Our late sister Naomi was born on January 4, 1964. Unlike the others in our family, her christening was getting delayed as our Mum was quick to realize that this little girl was different compared to the others. So both our Mum and Dad were very keen to find out what was wrong with this child, the 11th in our family. After many check-ups and consultations with doctors, they were made to understand that she was “differently-abled”.

I am certain that our Mum’s and Dad’s dreams for her future may have been shattered as they realized the implications of her condition. But they had the courage to come to terms with the effect that their limitations and special needs had on them and the rest of the family. So they developed appropriate attitudes and skills as her carers.

With all this happening at home, time had passed by without the knowledge of our parents. After a year or two, they realized that this little girl had not been christened yet. Our Dad was very famous for giving great names for his children and everyone was kept guessing as to what he will name this special child. We have heard many stories from his younger days when our Dad’s Love or his Sweetheart had always been our Mum, Zoe Linnette Naomi.

So he borrowed the name “Naomi” from his sweetheart to show that this child is sweet. One name had already been picked and he was sure that’s going to be her first name. From the day our parents got to know that this sweet little girl was a differently abled child, our Dad always said that she is the Angel of the family and is a blessing to the family to have her with us. I will be talking about the blessing later, but with this in his mind, he chose the name Angela and finally decided that her name would be “Naomi Angela” and for him, she was always his “Sweet Angel”.

 She was never given the opportunity that is the right of every human being, to lead a fulfilling and independent life. She always lived completely dependent on the mercy of those around her. A person devoid of ego, whose very existence begged the question not who am I and what can I do, but rather, what kind of people are you and what are you prepared to do for me.

 She badly felt the loss of our Dad when he passed away in 1987, her favourite during the early part of her life, but settled down quite well with Mum being by her side. But when our Mum passed away in 2019 she was incapable of coming to terms with it. She knew that her Depi Akka was behind her, supported by sister Vinodini, and the entire family will be backing her, but the loss of both parents was certainly unbearable for her. After Mum had passed away at a farewell to one of her teachers, the teacher had asked all the children to laugh but our Naoma girl was to herself. Then the teacher asked her why Naomi you also laugh but her reply was heart breaking. Let me put it with her own words, as she said “No, I have no Thaththa, I have no Amma and my sister is my Pana”. (Life)

Our Mum and Dad set an example for us and I can vouch for it by saying that our sister Depika took the lead and all my brothers and sisters followed what was taught to us by letting her know that “if you cannot talk. We will be your voice, if you cannot stand, we will support you. If you cannot walk, we will carry you. We are here for you and we will stay with you through it all.” This was just what each and every member of our family did for her and it was really a blessing for all of us to walk with her through her life and to make sure that she enjoyed and lived well right until the very end.

Wherever she went she was able to win the hearts of the people. She was full of humour and laughter. She loved going for parties beautifully dressed, and she was able to match her accessories to match the dress. When someone comments on her dress she was always on top of the world. She kept strong family bonds. She was innocent and the most lovable in the family. She gave us the gift of unconditional love. Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it’s not easy.

It’s loving because you simply can’t help but love. And the greatest triumph of any life. To love and to be loved. Our Sweet Angel taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reason. She taught us about kindness and patience, because it takes a lot of love, patience and dedication to care for her needs day after day. It is truly loving without condition, and it is perhaps the most beautiful and purest form of love that exists. She made that kind of love exist. She made it possible.

And finally, Naoma girl gave us the gift of beauty. Her life wasn’t easy or glamorous. There were many hard times, for her and for the whole family. But she taught us how to look past the difficulties and find beauty in life, for there is always beauty; she made our lives beautiful. We are glad that we had her in our family and how true our Dad was, when 59 years ago he said our Sweet Angel was truly a blessing for our family!

She enjoyed her life and she entertained us as much as we entertained her. She loved music and dancing and there was no Christmas without her taking to the dance floor. I would be proved wrong if I don’t say that all in the family including her nephews and nieces who have joined her on the dance floor. It was her love for carols that resulted in our Mum organizing carol sessions during the Christmas season, which continues to this day and even during the Covid period.

Our “Sweet Angel” received her call from Jesus on July 6, 2023. She lived a long and peaceful life of 59 years, six months and two days. She never caused harm to anyone, never committed any sin and she was completely righteous and a perfect Angel in our family.

“Now sleep my little Darling Angel, and rest your eyes”. Although we cry and stand grief-stricken, we promise not to forget the loving memories you gave – but we still miss you and we once again long to hear your caring words. We will make sure that you will be remembered in all our get-togethers in time to come. We are certain that the Pearly Gates would have been wide open to receive you and St. Peter would have specially invited Dad and Mum together with our sisters Anne and Ramani to be at the gates to welcome you with open arms. So enjoy their company once again until “we shall meet on that beautiful shore”.

Eternal rest grant unto her O’Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace, Amen.

VPdeSW