A NEW STAR IN THE NIGHTSKY

Death for a Christian is to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus and waking up and finding out that you're home.                                                                                                           -Alistair Begg

It is not easy. Death. Waking up to the news of the passing away of a loved one. Especially when its the 4th death in a row within the span of 10 months. When someone is sick and we know they are suffering, it is easier to process the reality- but not when its a sudden demise like an accident or simply not waking up from your sleep- or how about you just leave home one fine morning to go to church or work and never come back. And to know the death from the other side of the world- again, totally devastating. 

Linu Mathew Koshy- our dear Linu achachan. An epitome of a scholar and the most giving person I know of his age group. There are evangelists and priests who have come to me knowing that we are cousins. He was always such a soft spoken and gentle person- without any pride whatsoever in his academic and professional accolades. I remember he was one of the top rank holders for the Kerala Engineering Entrance exams back in the 90s and even after his professional studies he did a Post Graduation in Mathematics just for his love for the subject. He was the best in his trade and even went on foreign assignments every other year. Someone who has accomplished a lot, but never had that chip on his shoulder. Never. He only kept GIVING. 

I have seen his handwritten letters to my dad he used to write with his sister during their childhood when my dad left to the US for several years. We have seen for ourselves the love his maternal home on the banks of River Pamba also shares- being the go-to place for us all during Maramon Convention. That love and care continued through the decades- and up until now the most precious memory for us being the time we spent just some months ago in April with them in Bangalore for their house warming. FAMILY meant everything to him.

I can never forget how he came down for my wedding 12 years ago or even when my mom died last year. He would just come, all the way from Bangalore- even for a day. He showed how much PRESENCE is needed for those who are important in your life- especially when they need you the most. 

This is the picture in my mind from the moment we got the news of the passing away of our dear Linu achachan. See- that's achachan with my mom- they were happy on earth- and I am sure they are together right now- chatting about us from above. No doubts on that. They would have that heavenly calm that everything is going to be alright, even though we are not so sure, ever. 

Our prayers go out to Neethu, Renu chechi, Babychayan, Mollykutty Ammamma, Leena chechi and everyone else out there- his family and friends. Words can never, never be enough to comfort you- but being so far away from you this is the least we can do for you right now. The pain of loss can be so raw inside- it just engulfs you sometimes- but the HOPE that we have to live forever with our Savior can wipe all tears away. Take your time- to accept. Take your time- to remake your life. Take your time- to find comfort. Let us have a smile on our face as we think each time that his last conscious task was to go to church to praise Him- and now he is praising Him forever. 

Linu Achacha, you went so soon, yet your passing is a reminder for us living that each day is a gift- each day is precious- each day is an extension. We don't have time for fights or regrets - big or small. It is very human to think you could have done much more- but we know you have done so much already in your lifetime.  Let the living learn from you. Each dawn is a wake up call to keep living- and each dusk is a cue to keep being thankful. 

You'll be dearly missed- and dearly remembered, brother.