07:06:14 Goodbye friend.
Today is a day of sadness and happiness all jumbled into one. Today is the day we say goodbye to a good friend but the day that she gets to start a new exciting chapter in her life. Simi is from India and she started work as a nurse in my hospital about 2 years ago. In that time we became good friends. Almost every Saturday at 4pm I would get a text "Gina are you going to church tonight?" Simi would be walking home from her morning shift at the hospital but not having a car meant that she needed a lift if she wanted to go further afield. If we were going to Mass we would drive and pick her up on the way and often she would have dinner with us or even just a cup of tea and a chat before we would drop her home again.
Simi taught us many of the traditions of her culture by cooking for us or just sharing stories of her life in India. You could tell by the way she spoke about her family that she had a great respect for them, especially her parents. As is the tradition in Simi's culture she got engaged to a man that her parents had helped her to choose. I had many preconceived ideas about what arranged marriages but watching Simi over the last year and hearing her views on it have opened my eyes to a different perspective. Her wedding was held in India in January but until now she has continued to work and live near us.
Today she goes to join her husband and begin her married life with him. There were hugs that didn't want to end and tears through smiles. We watched her make her way through security and walk away as we waved and waved with bright smiles on our faces to hide our sadness and the lumps in our throats.
Simi taught us many of the traditions of her culture by cooking for us or just sharing stories of her life in India. You could tell by the way she spoke about her family that she had a great respect for them, especially her parents. As is the tradition in Simi's culture she got engaged to a man that her parents had helped her to choose. I had many preconceived ideas about what arranged marriages but watching Simi over the last year and hearing her views on it have opened my eyes to a different perspective. Her wedding was held in India in January but until now she has continued to work and live near us.
Today she goes to join her husband and begin her married life with him. There were hugs that didn't want to end and tears through smiles. We watched her make her way through security and walk away as we waved and waved with bright smiles on our faces to hide our sadness and the lumps in our throats.
"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again my friend
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand"
So sad and exciting at the same time. I hope she enjoys this new chapter in her life.
Good luck & all our best wishes in this new & exciting chapter in your lives Simi lots love Auntie jul x