The sun rose this morning in a Mauritius without you. A Mauritius that has lost a bit of itself. It no longer has that lady who made it her home, loved and cherished it and positively contributed to every aspect of it.

You tiptoed out of our lives, leaving us in shock. Though we knew how sick you were and how hard you and your loving and supportive husband fought, we could not tell how close your departure was. You were open about the disease you were fighting but you suffered in silence to spare us the agony of seeing you die a bit more every day. You kept your smile on to keep our tears away. And suddenly, you left, taking a piece of each one of us with you.

“Until death or divorce,” you had wittingly told the immigration officer who asked you how long you would be staying in Mauritius when you first stepped on this land that you made yours. “He won’t divorce you,” the officer, manifestly contaminated by your infectious sense of humour, replied. “You are too beautiful.” If ever a marriage was made in heaven, it was yours. Beyond Bashir’s success, beyond your stunning beauty, I had hardly seen as much affection and respect uniting a couple. He found in your buoyant personality and extrovert nature the balance he needed to reach new heights. Our hearts go out to him, along with our hopes that he finds the fortitude to use the great memories you shared to overcome the grief and fill the void you left behind for all of us.

You were colour-blind, religion-blind and your class was incontestable. You sat at royal tables with the same ease and grace you did at modest tables like ours. Through your legendary humility, you earned everyone’s respect. Through your sincerity, love and honesty, you attracted the friends who were privileged to be part of your circle.

We are numbed with pain. We are mortified with agony but we know that wherever you go, you will promote happiness, peace and serenity around you. Wherever you are, you will spread your contagious laughter and your amazing grace. A place where you are can therefore only be heaven.

We are thankful that you touched our lives. Thank you for the moments of happiness we shared. Every time I asked you to come over for dinner, your first reaction was: ‘It’s your turn to come!’ Today, I reply: ‘Yes, it is our turn’. We will come and visit you soon enough. In the meantime, with your husband, children and grandchildren, we will keep your spirit here alive. The spirit of openness, unity, generosity and sharing.

We refuse to mourn because you did not die. Legends do not die. They live on. You will continue to live in your family. You will continue to live in all the genuine friendships you have made over the years. You will continue to live beyond time and space.

“Until death or divorce”? Your love is stronger than both. You have only stepped aside. We can see you hiding around the corner, with your mischievous ever-young smile, waiting for all of us to find you. Until we do, keep sending us your positive vibes. We need them ever so much!

Fare thee well, my friend. We don’t know when, we don’t know how, but we will find your hideout.