We are primates. It is coded into our DNA to protect our young, even from each other. There is a point where we fail, fail to prevent something terrible from happening to them. Those are called freak accidents. We read about them in newspapers. We see detailed versions in the news. We even see them happening to people we know. But never ever even in our darkest dreams do we imagine something like that happening to us. When they do strike, we do not know how to react. Do we remain in shock for an extended period of time or do we accept it, cope with it slowly but surely, and move on? I do not know. I do not have any answers, because it struck me with a lightning blow when I least expected it.
I write this for the three brothers I lost today. They became victims of a drowning accident earlier this morning. I don’t really know what happened other than what I read in the news. I didn’t have the heart to grill my mother for more information when she called, I was in shock. I think I still am. My brain hasn’t quite grasped the fact that I wouldn’t be seeing any of them ever again, that I wouldn’t see a smile, or get a sweaty bear hug or a pull on my hair ever again from them. I considered going home for the funerals, to be with my family in this extremely trying time, but I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing their faces devoid of life. These were my little brothers, ones I've held as babies,ones I grew up with,ones I played cricket with on holidays…
One of them was dearer to me than the others. He was my mother’s brother’s son, a boy born into the family after us two girls, and after a wait of 8 long years. We spoilt him rotten, all of us. When we were little, we used to joke that when either of us sisters got married, he would be the one greeting the groom and receiving a gold ring as a gift.
They were all happy boys, with a full life ahead of them. It isn’t fair that they left those lives so quickly, not while their parents and grandparents live. No parent should have to bury their child. Yet this day, three pairs of parents in my family are going to have to face this cruel fate. I am not with them physically, but I hope, my thoughts would provide some manner of comfort to them. With all the love in my heart, I bid my brothers goodbye. Be at peace, little ones…We love you more than words could say…
