Simmi, my brother and friend!

I was blessed with a marvelous gift from my Heavenly Father exactly after one year, eleven months, and twenty days! On Wednesday, 18th February, 1959, I was all excited to see lovely, cute baby boy, beside my Mai and this child became more a friend to me than brother. He was none other than Albert Simon Rodrigues!!!! He was popular as Albert in school, as Simon with family, relatives but for me he was Simmi. He was my Pappa’s favourite and I was Mai’s favourite, it’s divine blessing that both of us grew together with perfect understanding, love and respect for one another. In sixty-two years of our lives we never fought with each other either physically or verbally!! Pappa, lovingly used to call him, “Simon, the Quiet,” but I know how “Quiet” he was outside our home, “River View.” He was simple Simon at home, very loving, affectionate and without any demands but in neighborhood, school, church, he was very mischievous. He used to speak without thinking which used to land him in problems with his classmates, friends, neighbours. In my life time I had never fought for myself but I never allowed anyone to hurt, abuse my loving friend, and I would go to any extent even to use my muscle power and vocal strength. But whatever used to happen outside our home, it never came to the knowledge of anyone at home. My memory of my brother and friend Simmi, very cute, slim, wheatish in colour, with sharp nose, brown thin hair and attractive features. He was my darling. His dressing, very unique….shorts with shirts which is always unbuttoned, and without fail he will have a comb in his pocket. Style king! His very special “signature smile” I can never forget. How mischievous he was, one incident I can’t forget. Both of us went to Poorna Prajna College, Udupi for his admission for Pre University. We went inside the cabin of Principal, London qualified, Dr Narayana Rao, and my friend like a big boss comfortably sat in the chair and I was standing, the Principal thought I am seeking admission and asked me questions! Lo and behold, grace and favor of God was upon him, and he got the admission!!! There are many such instances during our childhood days. Today, I can boldly say that me and Simmi had the best childhood days. We continued the same affection and care for one another as we grew. Today, my loving Simmi, gone ahead of me to his eternal home! I will always celebrate the friendship we enjoyed and cherished for I believe in Gospel of John 10.25, “He who believes in Christ, though he may die, he shall live.”