Philomena (née Quadras) Mathias, Shirva

Died on 18 June 2001, New Delhi

Mai, twenty-five years have passed since you left us
and we have lived sixty and more years of our lives without you.
Every day, we realise that living a life of your ideals is difficult, very difficult.
Forgiving each other is not easy,
nor loving one another,
nor helping one another,
nor overcoming our temptations,
nor finding hope in our prayers.
Our faith grows weaker day by day.
We fall again and again.
Our determination is weak,
our decisions are uncertain,
and we often find that our lives are superficial,
and unable to fulfil our responsibilities with sincerity.

Mai, how did you live such a difficult life with such hope and faith?
Mai, how did you find such joy in selling
betel leaves at the Udupi and Manchakal markets
on Wednesdays and Thursdays?
Mai, how did you find such happiness and love
in nature, dogs, cats, and cows?
Mai, how did you acquire so much wisdom in the school of life?

We often wonder,
and thank God
for giving us such a wonderful Mai.
Mai, may your life continue to inspire us, strengthen our faith,
and guide us always. 

Loving remembrance from the family