From Leslie Papali:
I have been thinking of you a lot. The three of you are a testimony to fine parenting. Though i am not there, I can just picture you three being responsible and putting your grief aside and doing what needs to be done. I know that i am not the only ones that think this. There are very few that can handle things like this with the grace and diligence that you three are. Your father would be so proud. Right now, there is much to be done but i truly hope that later you are able to lean on your spouses that are so stable and let them be your rock in your time of need.
One thing your father valued was family. Not only was he so proud of you but he also instilled in the three of you the importance of family and doing what you need to do to make a situation better. I am sure you prove that every single day by helping someone or other.
I know that when my Dad passed away, there were a few things that comforted me. The thought that my Dad had a good comfortable life gave me a certain amount of peace. When he passed away, he was surrounded by his three children and his wife who took such good care of him the last three years of his life after he got diagnosed. I hope you will take comfort in the fact that your father also was able to be surrounded by all of you. Your Dad too had a comfortable life. He had a wife who always respected him and was there for him. He had three children that he was tremendously proud of. How many parents can boast that throughout their life they were able to live close to their children? I wrote this yesterday and i keep thinking of this. As a parent, you want your children to grow up to be responsible, happy and giving people in society. You three have a bond and i know that you are all givers. If there is anything in your community that people need, the three of you are probably the first one that people turn too? You know why? Because they know they can count on you. Your parents brought you up to be helpful and dependable. I know that when my parents were in India after i got married and came here, i had so much peace of mind knowing that if they needed anything they could count on you. Your parents not only brought you up to always be helpful and giving but taught you to pass it on to your kids as well. Its truly incredible. God has been so good to your father and to you.
At times like this, its helpful to focus on all the blessings of your Father's life. When your father passed away, he had so much to be thankful for. Though his health was diminishing over the past few years, i know that you all got together and took turns in caring for him. I am sure it wasnt always easy but you did this with so much grace and rarely complained. Can you imagine as a parent, how much that would mean to him? I think of your mom. Uncle was so blessed to have a wife who was devoted to him. How many people can say that for majority of their lives, they were able to live within close proximity of ALL their children. Family was a priority for your dad and not only did he have all of you, his grandchildren but also his extended family living close to him .
When he passed away, he was surrounded by all of you. He was able to have the dignity of all of you beside him in his own bed at his home, and not a hospital. He also had a peaceful death. That alone is so comforting for he wasnt in pain. Not only was he so hardworking, but he taught his children to be the same way. And they in turn are raising their kids to value the importance of working hard for everything.
I will always have so much respect for the three of you because you are what makes this world a better place. You are unselfish givers in every sense of the word. Right now you are consumed with arrangements and many things that needs to be done. I know after all this is done, you will have time to really think and properly grieve. If at any time you just want to get away for a few days and get a change of pace- you are always welcome to come here for a few days. I will only be working till Christmas break. I can always take days off at any time too before that. I gave notice due to our impending move and to be honest, work is really not a priority so please feel free to come at any time!
Please know that you and Aunty are in my prayers.
Leslie
Leslie
