Mabel Pais

THERE IS ONE AND ONLY ONE,

WHOSE LOVE SHALL FAIL ME NEVER.

JUST ONE WHO LIVES

FROM SUN TO SUN,

WITH CONSTANT FOND ENDEAVOR.

THERE IS JUST ONE,

ON EARTH THERE IS NO OTHER.

IN HEAVEN A NOBLE WORK WAS DONE

WHEN GOD GAVE US A MOTHER.“

The above poem epitomizes my beautiful, gentle, loving, prayerful, saintly, talented mother, Elizabeth L. D’Cunha who is not with us physically on this planet. Her exemplary life has enriched me and my family to cherish her legacy. She believed in living by example, not precept.

Growing up in India before partition, she started working in her late teens in the Women’s Army Corps of British-ruled India to contribute to her retired father’s income (her father was a top executive in government).

After her marriage to my father: a scientist and veterinarian, she chose to stay at home to take care of her precious children. She parted from this earth 8 years ago, but her memory is ever alive today in every action of mine.

May the heavens continue to shower blessings on you darling ma.

Your grateful daughter, Mabel.