Remembrance haigas for my brother
What can I say about my precious brother Gladwyn, my only brother, who was like a rock, someone whom I could always count on for unfaltering love and support, whose love was so pure, so steadfast, so boundless… who was so compassionate, and generous to a fault. What can I say about a brother whom I loved so dearly and now miss so badly… I miss his gentle voice, his smile, his caring ways, his music… A marine engineer by profession, he was passionate about music, sang beautifully, played several musical instruments, and composed music as well.
Gladwyn was someone special. And I feel so blessed to have had someone like him as my brother.
It’s been a year since he succumbed to a sudden and fatal cardiac arrest. 16th of November 2019 – that’s the day he left to return to his Maker without a final farewell to his loved ones, plunging us all into unbearable grief.
Just when we least expected it, he departed, silently. The end came ‘like a thief in the night’ as we’re told in the Bible. And then God took him in His loving arms and took him back to Himself.
Today, on his first death anniversary, this is my humble tribute to him through my new-found love of the Japanese haiga – a three-line poem (haiku) – illustrated by an image that subtly and creatively communicates the message or thought expressed.
Rest in peace, my beloved Gladwyn, till we meet again at Jesus’ feet.
Remembrance haigas for Gladwyn
Dearest Veena,
Such a loving & beautiful tribute to Gladwyn.
Gladwyn truly was so ‘special’, there will never be another!
I feel so privileged to be his wife, he did love & care also to a fault.
He was one of the rarest of human beings, who was always content, never envied, humble & super intelligent.
He has left a gaping hole, a carnage of broken hearts & the happiest of memories of our life together.
When I count the blessings, gratitude overpowers grief.
Thank God all our reunions with his family & friends were so joyous.
Honestly, Gladwyn was a man after God’s own heart!
In life he taught me so much, in death he taught me even more.
I love him & his memory will be treasured in my heart & home forever !
Every word you’ve written about Gladwyn is so true, Tina.
And many thanks for the appreciation. But a small tribute was the least I could do to celebrate Gladwyn’s memory and show my gratitude for having had the privilege of being his sister.
Thank you Veena for your poignant remembrance of Gladwyn. He was truly a brother like no other, and we three sisters will forever feel bereft without him. Your poems are sweet, simple, and heartwarming, just like our brother.
Thank you Veena for your poignant remembrance of our beloved Gladwyn. He was truly a brother like no other, and we three sisters will forever feel bereft without him. Your poems are sweet, simple, and heartwarming, just like our brother.
Thanks for liking the poems, Cynthia. We three sisters, loved Gladwyn so deeply, nay, love Gladwyn so deeply. It hurts to use the past tense when talking about him.
Beautiful, Veena….🌹❤️🙏 Your words are so precious.🌹 ❤️🌹
Thank you for appreciating my post and my writing, Mirabel.
Veena your brother was an artist, a music artist, a faith artist, and yes, even a con artist. Gladwyn conned me into joining the Rosary Youth Group/ AICUF. But thanks to him, those were the best years of my life and an opportunity to know the entire Gomes family and over the years the extended family from Mumbai to Dallas. Though we were both Mazagon boys, we only met in college-St. Xavier’s.
I do listen to his album of spiritual songs (courtesy Cynthia) which shows his love for music and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
But what is it with these seafarers? We lost Gladwyn, Ajai Ragde and Joseph Coutinho and somehow I, like many, have known all three of them, and they all left us too early.
They say the best are taken away first. All the more reason to sail through life with the faith that HE KNOWS BEST.
I am sure Gladwyn, the Music Artist, is singing his favorite composition “PASSION ROAD” to an audience of seafarers, family, and friends. A life well lived! Cheers!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Francis, and for all the kind words about Gladwyn.