“Kamala”- A Tribute
Shared by Titus
A Tribute To Dr Kamala Gomez By Dr Titus Fernando
At Her Funeral Service On Wednesday 7th February 2018
We are gathered here to pay our respects to a very special lady. Kamala was always a calm, quiet, modest, beautiful and elegant lady. That does not do justice to her does it?
Kamala was a loving and caring wife to Gaspar, loving and caring mother to her two lovely daughters Shehana & Nicky, a true and sincere friend to all her relatives and friends and a very caring and trusted doctor to her patients. My wife Sunita always speaks of her as a very elegant lady and I have heard this comment from Sunila, Rio and several others.
I first met Kamala in August 1964 when I entered the Medical Faculty. Our batch was blessed with pretty girls some of whom are here today and still looking good. Kamala was one of the best. Her beauty, charm, innocence, good complexion and lovely smile charmed and captivated many young bucks in our batch and earned her many admirers. A young handsome guy called Gaspar Gomez with his good qualities usually only found in Josephians, and his posh Colombo 7 accent won Kamala’s heart.
Briefly I would like to mention 2 iconic moments from our faculty days.
Kamala stayed at the girls’ hostel down De Saram Place which was only a stone throw from the faculty of Medicine. Why on earth it was called the “Hopper House” I will never know. Our young hero was regularly seen walking up and down De Saram Place dressed like prince charming and singing the favourite My Fair Lady hit “I have often walked down this street before” because he was far too early for the scheduled strict visiting hours of the girls hostel. He was reeking of Aramis to an extent even the Norris Canal round the corner smelt nice for a moment or two. He may have been the first to go but was the last to leave. Such was his dedication to Anatomy” which I hear was an interest they both shared for the next 5 years.
Second iconic moment was … Kamala standing outside the men’s common room to speak to Gaspar since girls were not allowed there. When we see her Kingsley, Almeida or myself and sometimes all three instead of calling Gaspar go to her and say “Hi Kamala can I help you” With a sweet smile she will say “Anae can I speak to Gaspar please?” If Kingsley was there the usual reply was “Gaspar is dead”. And Kamala would say “Anae Kingsley don’t say that”. Then our second pleasant task was to summon Gaspar and this was a joy if he was playing bridge or billiards especially billiards since it was always very difficult to get a turn on the table we considered it a bonus. We would go and say “Gaspar, Kamala wants you… now… Go” Gaspar would leave immediately muttering and what he was uttering I can tell you in confidence was not prayers. However by the time he gets to Kamala every trace of irritation had left his countenance and he is all milk and honey. Clever boy. They learn fast don’t they! How you ladies take a wild young man who cannot be controlled by his parents and turn them into an obedient husband I will never understand and do it with only a smile.
If life had buttons like a video recorder they both would have pressed the pause button.
But life moves on. Their love was true. They got married, made a lovely nest and they were blessed with two lovely daughters Shehana & Nicky. They had a wonderful & happy life, stack of money, a large circle of good friends, travelled the world over and visited friends in different parts of the world. Life was good. The world was their oyster.
However unknown to them dark clouds were gathering without any warning.
Disease is no respecter of Royalty, Professions, and Riches. It does not care if you are good or bad. Some 10 or 11 years ago when we spotted the tell-tale signs we were distressed. Helpless all we could do was to pray. The near and dear ones to Kamala have noticed this a couple of years earlier to their distress.
When the going gets tough the tough gets going. Kamala accepted this twist of fate gracefully and coped with it bravely and with dignity with the help of her loving husband Gaspar and her loving daughters Shehana and Nicky and the help of a few very close circle of friends like Neville & Mallika. She did this until about three years ago when all control was taken out of her hands. The task on her loving husband, two loving daughters and their few close friends was heavy and demanding but they rose up to the challenge with a smile and looked after her with love & dedication until she passed away peacefully on the 22nd of January 2018.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take
But by the magical moments that take your breath away
So many magical moments to reminisce every day
You did dear Kamala in your own special way.
Kamala made many magical moments for all of us.
The magical moments Kamala had created for Sunita and me are …
Whenever she sees us at an event or function her beautiful and innocent face will breakup into a warm welcoming smile and she would say “Ahh, Titus & Sunita are here”
The other is when we were at a school dance or some such function she would always have a dance or two with me. She was a great dancer and a real lady on the floor. At the Josephian Dance some 6 or 7 years ago Kamala was suffering from this wretched condition but she recognised us and Kingsley and commented “Kingsley bolayak wagae” On that occasion too she danced with me and after 1 dance started pining for Gaspar. It was a symptom that got progressively worse to the distress of her close family and friends.
Dear Kamala your work is done.
God has called you to enjoy the eternal reward you richly deserve. You showed everyone how to live in peace.
Rest in peace dear friend.
We love you …
We will miss you …
But we will never forget you.
Titus
This image was forwarded by Deepthie this evening, to go with her comment below
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