“Say Saffy , why don’t we play a game.” Suggests Daffy as he and Saffy perch on the nearby parapet.
“Are you ok ? To think of playing games when all these humans are so stressed about some virus.”
“Any way tell me what do you have in mind” Saffy looks with enquiring eyes.
“ Well have you ever thought of how tḥe wind blows?”
“Daffy , I don’t understand what game this is? Please be simple and clear.”
“ See, Saffy , when we fly, which is easier ; with the wind or against it ? “
“Obviously with the wind is easier.”
“Ok then , lets fly around the world , and see whether we reach this place agaiṇ.”
“ We can both go together , with the wind. “
Thus started ān adventure by these two pigeons . What is in Daffy’s mind ?
They both realized that as they flew, there was a lot to observe. The entire environment had changed. The skies were clear. Forests reappeared. The rivers flowed with pure water.
“Have you any idea whether there is still a hole in the sky?” asked Saffy.
“ I don’t understand such things , Saffy, but I do know that flyiṇg in the sky is less stressful and a real pleasure.”
The two friends continued ,their journey. They saw new developments …. not the Crane and Construction work. No in the various trees, nest building began with great fervour.
“Daffy , when do you plan to settle down ? “
“Hey Saffy , please don’t speak about settling down. Just see what the smart humans have done with their ‘settling’ and ‘developing’ “
“ I’m surprised that these people can stay in one place and quieten down. Why could they not do this earlier? Their incessant desire to be on the move, certainly caused changes, harmful to us. “
Thus Daffy and Saffy flew along , chatting all the time.
As they flew together ,they encountered many other birds. The various calls and flurry of feathers, seemed to be a celebration of life. Clouds floated serenely against blue skies .
“ Hey Daffy, just look below. Is this the new earth? “
“ What do you mean ‘new’ earth; it was always meant to be like this, until all the new ideas of man changed everything for the worse. “
“ And Daffy,these same humans , want to spread their ‘wings’ to the moon and beyond.”
“ You better not talk too much , Saffy, nowadays , we are being watched closely.”
The two pigeons soon realized that their dream of flying around the world , would not materialize.
The direction of winds changed and they thought it best to return to old nesting places.
There is a saying that birds of a feather flock together. Dear reader, when you see the two pigeons of differing color and breed, does it surprise you ?
They have one tale to share, inspite of differing tails. . Where are we with our differences. Do exteriors matter?
Do the hearts that beat in man , differ ? Can the same heart love and hate at the same time?
Tell me what gives life? The choice remains….can I love or hate?
Malcolm’s bravery showed as he lived through the years, facing his challenges with acceptance.
He had a good track record having served in Gulf Air, Emirates, and Mahindras , where he served for 14years of which the last 4 years was with its Travel desk .
He was jovial, outgoing, fond of a good life, and good food.
He had a wide circle of friends and at the end some very good friends ..Ratnakar Shetty, Winnie, Jason and myself.
His story is a saga of living alone for about 20 years. His friends were very helpful to him. I began to understand Malcolm during this time.
His favourite game was hockey . In fact it was through his links with Hillary Gomes, well known in hockey circles, that he began his final tenure at Mahindras. He accompanied the F United women’s hockey team to Dubai, Canada and New Zealand .
He represented his school and college teams in hockey too.
One of his friends Cherian, recalls Malcolm’s conversations later dwelt on his passion for hockey, the airlines (his career) and a wish to visit places of pilgrimage . That wish was fulfilled when he made a trip to Holy Land with a group led by Cherian many years later.
He grew up in Bandra and I was surprised that one of my good friends Shailesh was a friend of Malcolm too. I asked Shailesh to share some interesting incidents , when he knew Malcolm then, but he was too embarrassed to share some crazy things they did when in college.
My earliest memories of Malcolm was when he was at Gulf Air. He was a ḥandsome and popular young man . At that time I was with the Air India Dining Facilitiies , and he often visited the snack bar outlet at the ground floor adjacent to the Gulf Air office. Of course with his wit and good nature , he was generally in very good and interesting company.
His career graph improved when he joined Emirates and helped a host of people who needed international tickets to be confirmed. There was a time when he had two mobiles in his hand , speaking to different people , while solving their travel requirements. Malcolm also helped me at different times for my ticket confirmations or to get a good deal while booking with other airlines. Today times have changed ever since bookings can be done online.
A travel agent friend recalls when he approached Malcolm for a waiver on excess baggage for his passenger. Malcolm looked at him, stamped the voucher and left him with ‘choice words’ for his passenger. “Tell him to take it and ………..!”
During the last 4 years at the Travel Desk of Mahindras, Malcolm enjoyed his work. Captain Pandey HOD of the Aviation department of Mahindras greatly appreciated his work of coordinating the Pilot’s programme.
All Smiles
Malcolm lived a lonely life at Mazagon. He once mentioned that it is not easy to come to an empty home. He had good friends who were his anchor. They visited him and even had an occasional party .
His career ended when his health began to gradually fail . The few friends kept in contact with him . Ratnakar Shetty his former boss, took on a role of a father figure to guide him in important matters . Winnie was a dear friend and former colleague, who checked on him and visited occasionally with some favourite food items. He liked ‘Kane’ a Manglorean fish preparation. Any green curried preparation was always welcome. Anjean and I too, knew Malcolm’s favourites, Goa sausages , sorpotel, pork vindaloo, veg au gratin and fried prawns . He loved to hear his piano being played on. I occasionally obliged , with some simple tunes to keep the piano in tune. I visited him with Holy Communion , as a Eucharistic Minister, and even otherwise to chat for sometime.
His two good friends , Richard and Jimmy visited him often to check on any requirements. His neighbours Sunny and Maxy , too were helpful, to him. He had relatives Swithin and Blossom staying near him who were always willing to help when needed.
His final years were a struggle due to failing health. Visits to the hospital were frequent and the list of medicines quite long, He was very organized at home not only about these medicines, but also with the cleanliness of the home .
Jason recalls that Malcolm liked the NonVeg Club Sanwich , from the Bandra Gym ,and waited for a visit from Jason and his father. He relished it slice by slice. One cannot forget his interest in ‘ Housie’ at the Catholic Gym, which he enjoyed with his friends on a Sunday.
Malcolm was financially stable and did not require any monetary assistance from anyone. He was generous. The elderly maid who worked at his home finally became very sick and went to her nephew’s home. Malcolm ensured that she was given a monthly sum of money for her medical care, until she passed away.
Winnie and Shetty arranged for two ward boys to care for him towards the end, by day and night, and also a regular supply of meals. Shetty ensured that the wardboys were monitored , through phone calls and guidelines for them.
My last visit to Malcolm was sad. He had gone down in health and my brother Gerald his doctor, recommended hospitalisation. Its a pity that within 15 days he breathed his last , Those days were consistently in the ICCU. Two friends were constant visitors. Jason from Bandra and Winnie wḥo commuted from Santa Cruz. Winnie was with him the last evening , and Malcolm had tears in his eyes, when he heard his name being called. He knew it was time to go. That night my mobile rang at 2.30am . Nitin his faithful wardboy , informed me that Malcolm was no more.
I must mention that Malcolm made his peace with God . He left with a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation. He received the last sacraments and holy anointing before he departed.
He is at peace. His sufferings ended. Sadly, due to the corona virus lockdown, only 5 persons were at his funeral.
Many of us missed bidding him farewell. Shirley a relative, Jason, Winnie and Fr Shavito were present with the undertaker Abbas who was very helpful .
In Cherian’s words “ His soul finally embarked upon a joyous journey of peace, happiness and eternity .
Adieu, Malcolm, auf wiedersehen! Our prayers are with you.“
Our trip to London was special , as we stayed with Mimi Turner for 10 days. For Anjean and I , this turned out to be a surprise. Mimi had not yet arrived from her holiday, but was gracious enough to extend her hospitality in her absence. However we were happy when she arrived the following day. This became our home away from home then onwards.
Mimi has been hosting guests of Charismatic Renewal since 1969 with her husband late Tim Turner.
Mimi still remembers her earlier home , which was much larger before moving to the current smaller one. She has a picture frame of the old house .
Mimi loves her garden and the sitout . On a sunny day , the experience is exhilarating. The flowers were in full bloom. Birds visited the feeder every morning .
But Mimi misses her husband Tim the most . He was the ‘gardener’. He passed away about 9 months ago.
I loved to hear Mimi speak about the family history i.e his-story as well as her-story . The events around them were stunning , with the background of World War II. I encouraged Mimi to put it down in her memoirs .
The Turners have 5 children and 18 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter . They are truly international . Most in UK , and one family in USA and one in Australia .
Mimi thinks aloud “ I hope I can travel on many different holidays ; taking one different holiday per year , with one accompanying grandchild , just like my mother did.”
She had just returned from a Norway cruise with grandson Anthony . Of course she had some amazing pictures to show and a glowing account of the way Anthony conducted himself, while accompanying her.
Mimi has always had her family around for Christmas . “ The little ones would be in the hallway, the adults in dining room and older grandchildren in the kitchen . Turkey would certainly be the main dish.”
In 1970 Mimi and Tim were active in the early Prayer Groups . Later they were Leaders of the Charismatic Renewal. Tim brought ‘ Life in the Spirit’ Seminars to Britain .From 1973 onwards Tim conducted these seminars which helped more Prayer Groups to flourish..
Eventually they committed to the Covenant Community life in 1980. This Community is the ‘Antioch Community’ today and a full member community of the Sword of the Spirit Communities worldwide.
Her son Dan Turner is the current Senior Coordinator.
Mimi is very organised in her life style
She prioritises prayer and the life of Community.
Her week comprises , Gym, keeping touch with the extended family on the phone , and current news .
She is quite independent and drives to places for meetings or shopping.
She takes special care to host visitors even now .
“I never thought I would continue hosting guests after Tim passed away , as we were a team; but you are my first guests and I’m happy to host .”
One of her special gifts is Counselling . She is an asset to Community life over the years , and is one of the Senior members .
I asked Mimi what verses remain her favorite :
She responded
‘ Acts 17:28 ‘ For in him we live and move and have our being ‘
Romans 8:28 ‘ We know that by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose.’
Truly Mimi lives with a purpose , and God has blessed her with an abundant life.
viewvin 