Loving
messages to Durai and Mabel
on their 50th Wedding Anniversary
The following are messages from Durai and Mabel's children and grand-chilren
on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary celebrated at Mahabalipuram.
Message
from USA, from Dr. Kamalini Das (their daughter)
In fifty years of married life, You've done and seen it all,
And
many hearts are touched today by memories we recall-
You've met each day together hand in hand and side by side,
Supporting
one another with encouragement and pride,
You’ve shared a rare commitment only very few achieve,
And you well
deserve the tributes and wishes you receive.
Mom and Dad, on this 50th wedding anniversary I think of all the
wonderful years of growing up under your love and care. You gave each of us the love, encouragement and support to reach our
dreams. The secret of your success in life is the love and respect you have for each other and your deep faith and trust in
God.
Mom, you used to stitch similar dresses for the three of us girls. Whether it be Easter or Christmas we three
musketeers were dressed alike. I don’t know if Malathi thought it all that cool but I loved it.
I remember mom what a caring doctor you were to anyone who was ill.
Whether it was the dhobi, the meat man, the cleaning girl mom would not turn anyone away.
I remember you saying 'my three girls will be doctors like me,
and my son an engineer like dad’ - and we did it! Thank you for giving us a goal.
Dad, I remember you teaching
us math and making it so easy and fun for us to learn. I remember you filling all the forms for us for school, college, and
even now … and all we had to do was to sign on the little X mark you put.
Dad, I remember how exceptional you are in all the projects you undertook,
all you achievements, and how all your workers loved you. How proud we are of you. In spite of your busy schedule you took
time to teach us, play with us, fly kites with ribbon tails with us.
Thank you mom and dad for a wonderful childhood.
We are lucky and privileged to have talented, wonderful but humble and God-fearing parents. Thank you for all the important
life lessons you taught us.
Have a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary. I wish I could be there
- but my heart and thoughts will be with you both.
Love Kamali
Message from
USA from Suresh Raj (their son)
Mom & Dad,
We children have been blessed having such loving
and caring parents. It must have been a chore bringing up four brats. Your examples of compassion, sharing and giving have
been an inspiration to us. You have instilled in us a good work ethic and taught us to follow our dreams. Even though some
of us are so far away we are there in spirit. You are being especially remembered in our prayers today. May God bless and
protect you during your golden years.
From Sonya
and Dilip, their grandchildren (children of their daughter Kamalini and Gladwin Das)
I love you Thatha and Patiamma. I wish we were there.
from Sonya
Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary. it's too
bad we couldn't be there to celebrate it with you. We hope to see you soon when we visit this December and have
a good time.
from Dilip
Reminiscences
from Sheila Isaac (Mabel’s sister)
Mabel’ka and Durai Athan – a hospitable couple who complemented
each other in their efforts to help others and their work with the church. Their doors were always open to those in
need of a place to stay and they often entertained family and friends and encouraged times of Christian fellowship.
Mabel’ka was always interested in new and exotic recipes and her fish pickle was famous at the Church fetes and among
those longing for a touch of home. Durai Athan loved to involve himself in Church and mission work and travels widely
to help construction of various mission buildings all over the country. They are both deeply religious and have borne
life’s troubles and difficulties with stoic patience.
Family trips up to the hills
Manali and Nainital visits were family get-togethers organized by the two of them – accommodation,
transportation, cooks, food and catering to various family requirements. It was a golden time together that the David
family will always remember. At Manali, a song was made up to celebrate Durai Athan’s birthday and it still
rings familiarly in our memories. We can never forget the family togetherness generated by those trips.
Manali does not permit cars in its main streets.
So we all walked – to the bazaar, to collect milk, to the roller-skating rinks and many other places. Mabel’ka
and our servant mary walked all over the place to try to purchase chicken to celebrate, but all in vain. Shobha –
the newest addition to Sajji’s family was getting ready to go to the US
and joined us on this trip as a small baby passed around from one to another in rapid succession. Both trips were a
dream come true. We even visited the hot springs at
Manali (walking and climbing to them) and had a lovely, beneficial bath to improve our health.
