Hello 2nd April 2022 - 73 (Seventy-three) months on - Oh, Dearest Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa......... ???? ??????? ??? ??????

Hello all on this Saturday 2nd of April 2022, which only means one thing to me, and in the usual manner, this would be the seventy-third month since the eternal sleep of my Mum Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa. God repose her soul. Miss her very dearly.

As we are going through the Great Lent, it is seems very appropriate to commence the entry of this month with the preparation prayers that we use prior to commencing the repentance prayer that we conduct every Sunday throughout the Great Lent, which Oh Mum, you used to love and made us with the community to enjoy a vegan meal after at our residence and others followed, which was a lovely time. The prayer goes as follows, borrowed from the service book that was collated by my Dad V Rev Fr Boutros Touma Issa for the use at our Church:

Quote:

Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, spare us and have mercy upon us. Lord, accept our worship and prayers, and have mercy upon us. Glory to You, O God; glory to You, O Creator; glory to You, O Christ the King, Who pities Your servant sinners.

Unquote.

Indeed, Mum, it is not only the Repentance Prayers that you made special, but I always recall how you used to enjoy the Great Lent, a period that you take to pray, fast, and assist whoever needs assistant. Throughout you would combine a program to prepare the house, the church items, and us for the Feast of Resurrection. These are memories that are carved in my heart and mind.

Certainly Mum, you are always on my mind, and while reading the following from the April 2022 calendar, it became clear that the anonymous writer of these lines was writing on my behalf, thus will share this underneath:

Quote

I thrive on all our wonderful memories. [Those beautiful memories are the source of energy in me oh Mum...]

There have been so many joyful times that I constantly reflect on and wish we could live them again. [Yes, yes, yes, there were great, beautiful and joyful events that were made by you amongst us - though I wish I can relive them, but you are not with us in flesh, yet, we know that you are in a better place, and you are watching over us oh Mum...]

We are so lucky to have shared such beautiful times together. [Despite missing you very dearly, we thank God the Almighty that we had the chance to share such beautiful times with such a wonderful person like you oh Mum...]

These cherished memories have given us a close and loving bond that unites us each and every day. [Indeed, rethinking, or rekindling those beautiful memories brings forth the great bond that you created in our family oh Mum...]

I would like to say ‘sorry’ for some of the more difficult times I have given you. [I am not perfect, thus, I take it an opportunity to apologize for the times that might be considered difficult... oh Mum...]

I am so grateful that we can look back and laugh and see the innocence and how the love has shone through. [I know you are looking and watching over us, and you would be laughing as you read my mind thinking about these memories oh Mum...]

Thank you for being there for me and please know I will be there for you in an instant with open arms for the best hug. [Yes, yes, yes, thank you for everything... I was there always, and the moment that you went into your eternal sleep, I was there, and I felt I lost not only the battle but the war, and gone mad thinking I will not be able to see you face-to-face again, yes it was very hard... but I did not know, that I can see you every second of the day in my mind and soul, I still feel the echo of that beautiful laugh, I smell the beautiful perfume as if you are hugging me that tight hug, and I am sure we will meet again and laugh together... oh Mum...]

You are such a special person in my life. [No matter how many times I repeat that, I cannot say it enough - not only a special person, but also, superior, extraordinary, exceptional, excellent person in my life oh Mum...]

LOVE YOU MUM.?

This brought tears to my eyes - again and again... thus, I directly felt overwhelmed and as you taught us, saw myself praying for God the Almighty to give me the strength, to protect and keep me rooted and grounded in His love.?

Yes, Mum, you taught us too many things, we tried to put some in a book that we authored, but still more and more that you have taught us, this month I was reading a piece by an anonymous in the April 2022 calendar, and in there I saw the following:

It is another beautiful day to step out in confidence and take charge of your future.?Stand up for what you believe in, even when it means being unpopular for it. [Mum... you always encouraged me/us to stand for what we believe in no matter what the circumstances are...]

Honesty begins from within you.?Be honest, true and authentic to yourself.?Follow your dreams with conviction.?Every challenge becomes smaller once you engage your positive mindset to the task. [Mum... you always taught us to be honest, and follow our dreams with a positive mindset...]

If everything starts to feel overwhelming take your time, slow down, you can choose your own time frame. [Mum... you would never rush us into doing things, always careful how we feel about issues would not tolerate seeing us overwhelmed with any task...]

You do not have to be perfect: take it easy on yourself.?Any mistakes you make can be a lesson and teach you how to do it better next time, they challenge you to do better. [Mum... on several occasions, you would encourage us to take it easy on ourselves especially when we feel down due to a mistake or something not achieved as wanted...]

So, take your baby steps with acceptance and believe that every beautiful thing takes time to create. [Mum... you always taught us that nothing comes easy and quickly, good things take time... be patient...]

On your way to the top, search and discover yourself.?Life has a way of challenging you do and know, and that is what makes it so intriguing.?Many life experiences turn into lessons, while some turn out to be hidden opportunities. [Mum... you always taught us that we learn throughout this life... so nothing happens for no reason, learn and move on...]

Take charge of your future. ?[Mum... you gave us the liberty to take charge, and I still recall, any opportunity that comes grab it - might not come again...]

Yes oh Mum, we miss you very dearly - miss that beautiful smile...

But we pray as you taught us:

Yes Mum, it is not only today that we pray, but in the usual manner, we were praying, and those daily prayers during March 2022 were calling for prayers for the repose of your soul Mum...

Oh Mum... Your garden, and despite the dry autumn so far continues to be generous, and giving generously:

In the usual manner I conclude this entry with this Syriac hymn that was shared earlier, received from Touma:

Again, and again I am thankful and grateful to God the Almighty who honoured and blessed me to be the daughter of Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa, and thank you all for taking the time to go through this article.

On behalf of the Issa Family

Your Eldest daughter

Theodora Issa

PS:?Theodora acknowledges the sources used in coming up with this entry including the Issa Family archives for Mum's image shared in this entry, also some collected beautiful flowers, trees and other plants in the garden images that Theodora photographed this month, the two calendars of March 2022. Also, Lamsa Holy Bible, and the Department of Syriac Studies and the Repentance Prayers of the Syriac Orthodox Church.