Translation: Honour thy Mother as God. Honour thy Father as God. Honour thy Teacher as God.Honour thy Guest as God.
While I do not say much, it never means I do not think of my Dad so many times in a day. This is something many can relate to if their father’s too have passed or other loved ones have passed! Loss is never something we get used to but we accept it as a part of life as best as we can!
I remember his final moments, our last conversation, times we spent together, the way he showered all of us with love, the life he lived, the things he did, the sound of his voice, his smile, his laughter, special moments he and Mummy created for us, things they did, family traditions they created and so, so much more! Some voids can never be filled, and this is one, but the moments we have are what give us comfort and keep us going!
There are so many things I learnt from both my Mom (who thankfully is still with us) and my Dad. With Daddy in particular, these are just some:
1. Out of every negative, look for a positive!
2. Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are!
3. If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail!
4. Don’t do unto others what you don’t like for yourself!
Ramchit Ramesh Thomas was my Daddy, and I couldn’t ask for a better father! His life was dedicated to service and to helping others and it is something he and Mummy taught all of us- their three (3) children. He taught us the value of hard work and of honesty!
While I wish things could be different, I know they cannot, but I cherish all the time we had with him!
He always gave his best! He loved life, he loved his family, he always gave selflessly, and he fought a brave fight! He lived a life many of us can learn from and he gave us lots of wonderful memories we can hold on to!
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to say the late Ramchit Ramesh Thomas was my Daddy! Both he and my Mom have played a critical role in who I am today! Happy Father’s Day Daddy! We love you! We will always love you! Though you are not here physically, you will never be forgotten!
Today a nation cries. Today a country is brought to its knees. Today hearts were broken into pieces throughout the island. Today tears were shed by many and pain, anguish and anger were evident everywhere.
February 4, 2021- the day the body of Andrea Amy Bharatt was found in the Heights of Aripo, her body thrown over a precipice. This is a day many would not forget. Prayers were being said for the young law clerk to return home safely since she went missing on the evening of Friday 29 January, 2021. Hundreds turned out for a vigil only the evening before while several hunters and trackers had joined the police in the days she went missing- many hoping they would find her alive.
Andrea Bharatt
The life of a family was turned upside down as this young woman who had done everything she was told to do was subjected to a horrific end. She travelled with a friend in daylight shortly after finishing work in what appeared to be a registered taxi. However, she was lured into a trap many others would not have expected as the license plate was fake. God only knows how her father is coping. To think that she left home and could not return as she left, to think that they could not say goodbye or hug each as they would is the unfortunate reality that her murder has brought.
To think of her last moments is painful and heartbreaking. To think of the scant disregard and respect for her body as she was assaulted and her body thrown over a precipice is beyond disturbing.
A YouTube video Andrea Bharatt made during her studies
Described as an ‘angel’, Andrea was also described as a soft-spoken, pleasant and very hard working young lady who worked towards her dreams and she greeted everyone she met with a smile. She was one who left many with great memories and there has been an outpouring of love and concern since the day she went missing.
Photo Credit: Pinterest(Susan Noyes Anderson)
To have raised her alone for the last eight years following the passing of his wife, for her to grow up to be the young woman she was, it means Andrea’s father did an incredible job. It also means the bond they shared would have been a very close one. To have her snatched from him like this and to lose her like this is inconsolable. More so it means more hearts are continuing to break as many think of the irreparable damage done to him and the constant pain and anguish he is facing.
Andrea’s story is one of the many that has brought pain to many in our twin island Republic. This is not the ‘sweet T&T’ Natasha Wilson described years ago. The stories of the tragic end Andrea Bharatt, Ashanti Riley, Krysta Lackpatsingh, Joanna Díaz Sánchez, Rachel Logan, Cindy Joseph, Hope Arismandez, Emily Annamunthodo, Sean Luke, Jezelle Phillip, Ellena Dial and so many others faced have showed the harsh reality of the times we are living in. We pray for each of their souls. We pray for each of their families.
Ashanti Riley
Ashanti as many would remember left home to attend her grandmother’s birthday party. She was on her way to meet her boyfriend and other family members and together they would go to her grandmother’s home but Ashanti never arrived. Like Andrea, she was a beautiful young woman with a beautiful soul. She too was described as a loving young lady who was hard working and she too had a horrific end. She brought joy and laughter to many.
Ashanti had spent her Sunday morning at home with her Mom and when she left little did anyone think that she would never return. Ashanti disappeared on the 29th of November and her corpse was found on Dec 4th; Andrea disappeared on January 29th and her corpse was found on February 4th. Her murder sparked outrage and the ordeal she faced in her final hours was surely inflicted by persons with no compassion, no mercy and no respect.
Let us go back to a most tragic day in 2004! When Krysta Lackpatsingh’s life was taken in 2004, it was on a day when she had returned home early to type up a report on the family’s computer because a computer had not yet been installed at work. Krysta, a Probation Officer attached to the Point Fortin Magistrates Court was found by her parents, Jade and Steve Lackpatsingh in a pool of blood. She had been stabbed at least 18 times. Always pleasant, she loved helping others and she loved life. She was beautiful inside and out. Her laughter could fill a room and she had a special ability to soothe those around her.
What wrong did Krysta do? She came home early to complete her work because it could not be done at her place of work and instead had her life taken in a most tragic way, heartlessly and brutally. Krysta’s death shocked the entire Cedros community.
Krysta Lackpatsingh
The torture Andrea, Ashanti, Krysta and each of the other victims endured is unthinkable. So too is the torture their families have endured and continue to endure. When several of these victims did the right thing how can we say they did wrong? Their lives were ended by heartless, cold, unfeeling monsters that are roaming our land. Who are they to take lives they did not give life? Yes, once there is birth, death is inevitable but when that time comes is not to be determined by man.
We need to wake up and look out for each other. We need to be vigilant and careful. We need to take measures for good protection and we need to keep praying. We need to be thankful for our loved ones and for our time with them.
Yes, many of us did not know any of these victims, but it has not stopped us from caring and praying. Do not let their stories be stories which will be forgotten. Do not let their lives be a distant memory in time to come. Do not forget their families. Do what you can to offer them comfort and prayer. In essence, keep applying the golden rule- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
The lives of each of these victims matter! Let us remember what they taught us, how they have inspired many and what they have showed us. The lives of their families matter too! This is not about you or me but it is about every single one of us!
We celebrate each of these Angels! Together they have shown us how inner beauty radiates outward! Together they have shown us how rising in the midst of adversity is imperative! Together they have shown us that the purity of their hearts is something they were blessed with! They were gone too soon but they will never be forgotten!
This post is dedicated to celebrating our loved ones and in particular those who have passed on.
In life you may see it as winning some and losing some but don’t see it as a race or a contest. See it as a journey with lessons that is meant to be lived to the fullest. Things may come unexpectedly and we can all agree that none of us is sure what tomorrow will bring.
Let us look at it like this: Life is a journey and on that journey there are many experiences. Just as people come into our lives so too we enter other people’s lives. Just as we make our entrances and exits so do they and the exits we make or they make are in preparation for a new chapter of the journey. Not all exits are the same and some are understandably harder than others.
The time we spend with each other gives us time to experience and to learn. In essence it gives us time to do good and to be good. It gives us time to learn, time to love, time to make the most of. It gives us time to celebrate the time we share, the opportunities we are given to learn from each other and to create memories while celebrating the opportunity those in our lives have given us to become better and do better.
This being said it is important to live each day as your last, make the most of each moment, do the things you need to do and give it the absolute best that you can. Life is uncertain and unpredictable if you want to call it such so get in the habit of making each moment matter.
Photo Credit: Mandy Hale
If you cannot for one reason or another (such as health or immobility) be thankful for all that you have and all that you have done and keep praying. Celebrate all that you are and all that you have accomplished. Take the time too to celebrate all your loved ones and all they have accomplished and all they stood for.
Photo Credit: loveliveson.com
Though we are taught to accept that when there is birth, death is inevitable, life’s journey may shake us in some unexpected ways. God, regardless of how we refer to Him, is caring, loving and forgiving. He nurtures, He protects and He guides so being angry with Him is not an option. Instead ask Him for courage and strength to deal with your loss. I know it is easier said than done but I maintain that I am no expert and I hold firmly to my belief that you cannot tell someone how to feel if you are not in their shoes.
Grief should not be bottled so don’t bottle it.
Just as you celebrate you, take the time to celebrate the loved ones who have passed on.
Remember their smiles, their words, the love they showered you with and the lessons they taught you. Remember the moments you shared and the impact they have had on your life. Thank God for the time you had together. Ask for peace of mind for yourself and courage to face the realities of what is.
This is how Daddy was described on the day of his funeral. Daddy who was ailing with MND passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday 15th September 2018 in the company of his loved ones-immediate family members and close friends of the family.
He was a man of selfless action who loved his family, loved life, dedicated himself to everything he committed himself to, loved his community and lived according to the values and teachings of Sanatan Dharma. He was one who lived by example and taught us so much for which we would forever be grateful. He always supported us, encouraged us to be our best and he was always a man of action.
In recent times he was acknowledged by many as being responsible for getting electricity for the village of Coromandel where he lived. Many would recognize him as the President of the Coromandel Shiv Mandir (SDMS Branch 370) for just over 19 ½ years and as an Executive Member of the South Western Association of Mandirs Incorporated (SWAHMI).
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When he received his diagnosis Daddy fought a brave fight and always found the time to remind us and encourage us to be the best we can be. More so he remained positive and gave everyone encouragement to stay strong. He would make those around him laugh and he was still always willing to help (as he would have always done before).
From the day of his diagnosis to his very last day Daddy was surrounded by a steady stream of visitors in the form of concerned family and friends. To all who have supported us in these past years we say thank you immensely. Thank you for showering Daddy with your love, your support and your caring.
Memories of Daddy (the late Ramesh Ramchit Thomas) will always be with us and all who knew him. All he taught us and told us will guide us forward. Our comfort is that now Daddy is at peace and there is no more pain and suffering.
Gone but never to be forgotten- the late Ramchit Ramesh Thomas, son of the late Sahadeo Thomas and Agnes Thomas who will always be loving remembered and missed by his wife Doris Thomas, children Rachael, Ria and Ricky, grandson Richie-Lee, son-in-law Shiva, daughter-in-law Leci, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Celebrating Existence 