Hi. I, Nitya am extremely shocked over what has happened in this family. I thought, well, I knew that thatha was too strong for something like this to happen to him. This tragic incident has affected us all some way or the other and maybe too much to bear. Ramanujam thatha, was but a very strong person, as my mother had also told me who deserved much better than sickness and pain. When I was about 12 years of age, I remember when I saw thatha, we always used to tease each other saying, "nee....rombaaaa bore!" And we used to laugh at it at the same time. I miss him soooo much, it is like a part of my soul has died and I feel like a knife has stabbed me through the heart to feel this way. He was so devoted to God and he was so dedicated to his work. He is one of the best and strongest people, I have ever seen in my entire life. If there was anyone who deserved the best in the world, it would be thatha. He helped so many people in so many different ways, the amount of good he did is infinite. But, he will always remain with me, in my heart and soul!

Yesterday, when amma and I heard the news of his death, I immediately started to cry, but amma consoled me and told me to say, narayana, swamiye sarana mayiappa and sri om devi. We both prayed for 1 hour until amma called you all and spoke to you. To see her get so emotional and start to cry like anything, terribly hurt me deeply.

Why has this happened? How can this happen? So many of these questions run through our minds and confuse us. We all only wish that this was all a mistake or this was a horrid nightmare which we all wanted to wake up to. We all are hurt but more than anyone, patti must be most hurt. After all, she was married to thatha and lived with him for more than 50 years and to lose him just like that, must devastate her. Have you heard of the common saying? "you never know how much something means to you until it's been taken away from you?" Well, I think all of you will feel this way about Ramanujam thatha. I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about thatha and his cremation.

Ok...I should stop writing but I will finish off by saying that if any one of you need to talk to someone or need consoling, I am always here to talk to you. Take care all. BUT WAIT! I will finish off with a poem to you all. POEM!!!

I know thatha's passing away is very sad,
But all we can do is pray.
To god to keep him very safe,
And watch over him everyday.
This tragic incident has affected us all,
And is too much for us to bear.
Because, he was our dearest relative,
And for him we had so much care.
Have you heard of the saying,"it's just fate,"
Well that also applies to this.
Although he was a great wonderful person,
Whom I know we all do miss.
So all of you remain strong,
As long as you all live.
Thatha needs our strength, and he needs our love,
And he'll take all we can give.

RANJANI (NITYA) RAGHAVAN
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA