SHE WALKED IN BEAUTY

(With apologies to Lord Byron)

When Lord Byron wrote ‘SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY’ you were not even born dear Padma, thought of, perhaps, but eventually you did come and left your mark on our little world. How were we to know that you would conquer the domain of ‘Rajas’ and yet stoically walk your world alone unafraid? Byron did not give his woman any individuality; instead he made us believe that perfect beauty is the priceless combination of outward looks coupled with that strange luminosity of inner beauty.

I feel as though I knew you Paddy perhaps a little better than others; but someone else also knew you, the real you, with your scars and fears and private terrors and all your victories and strengths as well, the solid strong part of your being and he was always there for you. He saw you through it all, being a gentleman par excellance!

The world you lived in then dear Paddy, in essence the world you conquered, is so heart breakingly barren today, devoid of humanity impregnated with brutality and fear, loneliness and indifference, you would not have wanted to be on this planet today.

Grief triggers an emotional avalanche which could sweep us off completely or leave us in dumb despair. Yes, Paddy, four months have gone and I am still struggling to cope with the double loss of my brother and sister. You left us five years ago but I know that had you been here, you would have known, you would have understood, more importantly, you would have been there for me.

You passed through my life and left your mark, not for an hour or a day but for a lifetime. No matter what, I want to say ‘thank you’ – I was blessed when your life touched mine. I ask why only you left your mark? I was blessed by the impact you made on me, that moment so long ago when your life touched mine.

Karen