Loving Tributes

TO SAM You crossed my path like a shining light So enchanting and so bright - I heard you laugh, I saw you smile And life was kind to us, just for a while In sunshine you were always there With kind words, and thoughts to share In darkness, your hand was by my side With patience to listen, while I cried The joy, the innocence, of the youthful years And now the taste of lonely tears With only sweet memories to ease the pain Things will never be the same again I see your face, a vision of peace Your hair fluttering gently in the breeze And then you turn to me and smile An angel, in the chapters of time Chandima Samanthi Welgampola © 1991

WHEN THE SILENCE DEEPENS   When the silence deepens As time takes wing When in your absence Memories find us And those yesterdays Become so real   When the comfort of your presence Is needed in our midst And your familiar voice Cannot be heard You live within our thoughts More than just a memory   Chandima Samanthi Welgampola © 1992

IN LOVING MEMORY   The sound of eight voices raised in laughter Rings through my mind And I see once more, that classroom When we were sweet sixteen   There you were in our midst Always the one to turn to With all our secrets, tears and joys Always the advisor and everybody’s friend   I remember wondering, how it would be For us to meet years later as grownups Never knowing that all we had Were a few years more with you   And here I am today Longing for your company Wondering how it might have been If you were still with us   Thinking about the others Knowing, wherever the seven of us are Diverse though our lives may be Our love for you makes us one.   Chandima Samanthi Welgampola © 1994

EIGHT YEARS HAVE PASSED   Eight years have passed Some of us studied Some of us married If you can see us now Some dreams fulfilled Some dreams broken Dreams we shared with you   The friends you held together Are far and scattered Our bonds now shattered Yet in our lives diverse In times of joy and in grief Deep within our hearts We still long to run to you   Chandima Samanthi Welgampola © 1999

CELEBRATION   Having spent the early years Grieving over our loss Trying to cope with separation So permanent and new to us We believe that now is the time To celebrate her life To remember her love True friendship and trust Because of her we've learnt to expect the unexpected Cherish those we care about And never take them for granted Losing her has altered our lives In ways we are yet to realize But knowing her has inspired us To draw from her character Her endless optimism In the worst of times And her genuine praises In the best of times Her capacity to listen with empathy And be happy when others succeed Seeing the best in every situation Being sensitive to another's need She never ceased to amaze us With her fearlessness in adversity Her steadfast faith in God And devotion to friends and family So after all these years, once again We dedicate these humble words In memory of an extraordinary friend Who has given us many reasons to smile Hoping others too, will stop to remember That cheerful girl we knew And whisper a prayer in their hearts For our precious friend Sam   Chandima Samanthi Fernando © 2005

MAY AGAIN   It is that time of year, when I just can’t forget How it all took place, and the last time we met   I can still write your praises, page after page This friendship does not diminish with age   So I pause for a moment and humbly strive To keep our fond memories of your love alive   The laughter, the kindness, so genuine, so true These things stand out when I remember you   And you are surely beside me, this I do know Not just this time of year, but forever more   Chandima Samanthi Fernando © 2008

TOGETHER AGAIN   I remember wondering How it would turn out to be With all of us grown up Would we all still be friends?   Never did I imagine All of us, all over the world Meeting in a virtual space All of us here, but you   Keeping friendship alive With pictures and words Sisters and friends Bound by the past   While you still remain Untouched by the years The only real angel In our virtual world   Chandima Samanthi Fernando © 2009