This blog was first published on the demise of my 2.8 year old granddaughter, Agnes, on 9 Dec 2022.

Reflections by Anupe Francis, Agnes’ Appa was inserted on 13 May 2023, the day she would have turned 3.

Anupe Francis reflections given below:

Today, we remember our little Agnes on what would have been her 3rd birthday. Although she is no longer with us, her memory lives on in our hearts and minds. Our little angel was a beautiful soul who touched the lives of everyone she met. She had a contagious smile, a kind heart, and a passion for life that was truly inspiring.

We miss our AAGU dearly, but we take comfort in knowing that she is at peace and watching over us from above. We will always cherish the memories we shared with her and hold them close to our hearts. Our little Aagu may be gone, but her legacy lives on through the love and kindness she brought into this world.

On this special day, we celebrate Aagu’s life and all the joy and happiness she brought into our lives. Happy birthday, Agnes, our little angel who is in heaven . We love you and miss you more than words can express.

To watch video click here

A poem by Clare Herner, suggested for this occasion by my colleague:

Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.

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MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

A miracle is a phenomenon, which cannot be explained by logic or by the existing fund of knowledge that humans possess.  In my own life, I have had such experiences.  Let me narrate two such miracles relating to the life of my fifth grandchild little Agnes.  Her brief sojourn on this earth lighted up our lives for just a short period of 940 days, like a shooting star.

Miracle 1: Agnes Eliza Mathew was born in Gurgaon, Delhi, on 13 May 2020 during Covid 19 lockdown, and brought to Changanacherry two weeks after that. This was during the quarantine. She developed a fever but could not be taken to the doctor, according to the protocol. After the quarantine, she was taken to the doctor and he diagnosed her with meningitis, followed by ‘hydrocephalus’. Immediate surgical intervention was required forcing the mother and child to spent two and a half months in the hospital.  The Doctor cautioned that the child would have to be under constant watch. He also cautioned that the child may have some future anomalies, physical, emotional, and/or developmental. However, at each review, the doctors were elated to find her crossing the developmental milestones well on time.

For detailed narration of her early days in the hospital, you may click here.

After one year and ten months, the family returned to Gurgaon. Agnes was making steady progress and was the darling of the community they lived in and especially the Catholic parish they attended. She joined play school this October and was picking up Hindi and English languages easily. This improvement was more than what could be explained, after what she had gone through. Fr Joseph, former vicar of Lorde Matha Church Gurugram, at the eulogy said “Agnus, like a butterfly, moved around the people, spreading happiness.” She was indeed a miracle child.

Click the above image to watch her sing “നാഥാ സമർപ്പിക്കുനു”  after a general function on 13th Nov at St. Joseph church, Lourde Matha parish Church, Gurugram, Faridabad diocese. She wards off her elder brother as well.

Miracle 2: On 7 December 2022, Agnes was admitted to a hospital in Gurgaon following a seizure (fits). Two days after she unexpectedly left us to the shock and disbelief of everyone dear and near to her. Everyone who heard the news was inconsolable. However, Anupe and Lizbeth, the parents of Agnes, took her departure with equanimity and composure.

This is beyond what can be explained by logic or the scientific knowledge we have acquired. This to me is the second miracle.

If the first miracle was the result of the divine intervention, the second can only be explained by the staunch faith the parents have in God Almighty and accepting His will. Anupe in his short eulogy, before the funeral services at Palghat house said: ” Agnes was an angel-like child entrusted to us for just below three years.”

The final smile: my daughter without fail made daily video calls along with her kids. On 8 December, a video call was made from the hospital. Agnes was out of mood and to pep her up. I sang , “നാഥാ സമർപ്പിക്കുനു” the song she sang two weeks back. English meaning Lord I offer to you, I offer myself to thee, I offer me in toto, I offer you as a sacrifice…She was still in her pensive mood and so I added an improvised line: ‘അഗ്നൂസിനെസമർപ്പിക്കുന്നു ‘  “Lord we offer Agnes to you!” Hearing this line a smile of delight blossomed on her face. That was her final smile.

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Appendix: Agnes second cousin, [my sister’s granddaughter] Riya, studying in 7^th standard at Muscat, Oman, sent the following poem.

Sad end

Life is a blessing

A mystery impressive

It will have a good starting

But an abrupt ending

When the ending comes

Pain is massive

Life is short

We’re told to make memories

But there are some

Who gets cut unfairly

Not able to make those special memories

Even if they plan it

Even if they want it so bad

Fate does the good ones bad

Even if they don’t really deserve it

Because only the prettiest flowers

Are the ones to get plucked the most

But don’t worry

The best things don’t always exist

Materially, because happiness is only  in the heart

Our most loved ones may be gone

From our side

But they always stays in the heart

I know it

Cause I know a person

Who I never met

I wanted to

But I never could

The person is gone

To the spiritual world

Where all good reunites

Where all the good sings and rejoice

Because they know

In their lives they were given to people

Who loved them

They are happy

Because the Lord blessed them so well

I know her

She is probably looking down

From the skies

Wondering, why the tears in the eyes

Of the ones she likes the most

She was born with lots of love

She was so pure

But then fate marked her

All her loved ones

Knew she would have problems

There were many risks

But many prayers and sacrifices

But however

She left early

Back to the Holy

Lord of life and love

She is probably saying

Why do my loved ones cry?

I’m in paradise

Shouldn’t they be happy?

They are praying

They want me to be blessed

Why would they so

When I just received

The best of all blessings

From the blessed being

The one all holy on Earth

Just want to meet…

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