It was September 2000 when Vinayak and myself were desperately looking for a house on rent. We were to get married in Nov and he was in a bachelor’s accomadation which was not possible for me to go and live. We started our search saw many houses, but liked few and the few we liked were not ready to give us the house since we were still not married and they wanted us to get back when we were married..
While we went to one such house, there was a lady on the road who over heard our conversation and told us of a house that was on the main WOC road. She just said that it belongs to a gentleman by name Joseph who visited the church with them. She said he is really good man and we should try our luck there. Desperation made us to quickly search the place and go meet him. He was a well built man at the age of 76 then. We told him our story like we did to many, and he did not even think for a moment but said , he was delighted to give his vacant house which was adjoined to his house on rent t.
There was something that made me have an instant affection to this man, maybe I saw my grandfather in him. The way he dressed himself, the purity in the English he spoke all reminded me of my grandfather who had passed away for a year then. This man was fondly respected by all as annaya, “Joseph Annaya”. His wife Philomena , sons , daughters, grandchildren… all god fearing people. It is now going to be a good 8 years we have come to this place. Sometimes, we both wonder , why have we not moved… what has made us stay here… maybe it was his affection always made us feel so comfortable and made us reluctant to move....
Even my daughter is so attached to them that every evening it is her playtime in their portico. All our communication address always bore “C/O Joseph Annaya” Coz he used to collect our posts to ensure it is not lost. Who would do it from today…..
He reached the arms of Jesus peacefully today morning while he was doing his morning walk in the portico. His face was the most peaceful as though he had embraced death with joy
Last Sunday he celebrated his 53 wedding anniversary in the church, and today we are in the church mass praying for “his soul to rest in peace” . He set set out on his Last Journey today to enjoy heavenly bliss forever
….
Death is the most difficult to accept and the cruelest of them all.
But guess it is because of death, we release what is Love.
1 comment:
I am really feeling very sad and I am moved by your blog. I dont know who you are or who Joseph Annaya was, but now I feel that I have lost a dear one to me. May Joseph's soul rest in peace and may God give strength to all those who love him to cope up with this loss.
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