A letter from a daughter to a mother: A touch of reality...

Click, click. Ah, a letter from duwa, she thought excitedly. Must be news about her presentation. Click, click. Without a moment's adieu, she began to read:

"To my darling Ammi who seems to have forgotten me,

How's life? Hope you're missing me, I sure am! How's my monkey baby, is she being a pest as usual? Oh yeah, tell nangi that I found her text books. It was a nightmare looking for them though! I hope she's studying hard. Please remind her to email me the pictures of that concert she took part in.

I heard that she looked hilarious so I can't wait to feast my eyes on them. I wish I was there to see her perform that night. It hurts a bit to know that I'm missing out, but like you say that's life. It's funny how I miss her though, as annoying as she is...Hey, I have a bone to pick with you ammi dearest, why didn't you tell me that thathi was ill? Really, you shouldn't treat me like a baby and think that these kinds of things would upset me.

I know that life is not a bed of roses. You'd be quite surprised to know that I'm quite grown up now, even though I still cry when I watch Little Mermaid. Well, I want you to promise me that you will quit hiding important details, such as your health, from me Ok? Well, England is freezing cold as usual, but the rain seems to have calmed down a bit.

My archery lessons are fantastic though my shoulders are killing me. Medicine is taking its toll on me. I'm telling you ammi I'm going to go bald at this rate, I'm shedding hair like a puppy. Yes, I'm taking my vitamins and eating lots of greens and I'm starting to feel a bit like a cow. I've begun to gear up for my finals.

Got so many lectures to cover and so little time, and my friends already look like they have aged by another ten years. I can't believe they said that the first year was going to be a breeze compared to the rest. If my first year is this hard already I don't want to even imagine how hard my finals are going to be..

Oh yeah, nearly forgot to tell you, I got a merit for my presentation. I know what you're thinking, 'mamma dhannavane ethin' right? You know, you shouldn't take my hard work for granted all the time.

It's getting way too hard to get a reaction out of you anymore. Thinking about getting just a simple pass next time. Ok, Ok, just joking, no need for a myocardial infarction.

Well you must be wondering why I'm writing to you . Well, I have a confession to make. I nearly met with an accident. Now before you get a case of tachycardia please note that I am still alive and well, which is why I'm able to write this letter.

Oh by the way, never start to text while you're crossing the road. I failed to notice a racing car until it screeched and gently bumped me on my knee. With my late reflex actions as usual, I fainted afterwards and woke up with a mob around me. Very embarrassing moment really, but to be frank an eye openers as well.

What I am trying to say is that I realised that day that I had been such an idiot all these years. I had been so caught up in this rat race of a life that I had forgotten the true meaning of 'carpe diem'. When I was lying on the ground the first thing that came into my mind was all of you. I may have been stubborn at times, but I want you to know that I really do respect you and appreciate the fact that you make me do things I can't stand because you can see the goodness it would bring me in the future.

I know that I rarely tell you how grateful I am for the simple things you have done for me. I guess you learn the true value of something sweet when it's no longer there. I wish I hadn't taken for granted the hot meals you kept on the table for me, and the fresh laundry you so carefully folded with love. I wish I had spent more time with you while I could and cuddled you more often.

Seriously ammi, there are no words to express how much I miss you. Even the way you used to scream at me to do my work. You'd think I'd be happy without that, but I think I miss that the most. So forgive me for failing to express myself and for being a tad bit naughty sometimes. I guess when I thought that I was drawing my last breath (overdramatic as I am) I understood how much all of you mean to me.

I don't want to sound too sentimental but I need to say it. Should I die tomorrow I want to make sure that you know how much I love you, thathi and nangi.

Well, I better wind up before I start to get a runny nose. Besides, I have a million and one things I have to do. Yes, yes before you ask-no, I haven't found a nice Sri Lankan boy yet. And don't worry, I won't end up single. I have you to make sure I won't!

Lots of hugs and kisses,

Chubba Bolle

PS. - Please send me that Vattakka curry recipe. I can't take anymore lasagnes or pizza. Need some spicy food, Sri Lankan style. Love you.

She sighed as she closed the window. Don't worry my chutti dosthara nona, just a few more years and I'll be by your side once again, her heart cooed, some day soon duwa..."

Thamali Jayasinghe, Medical School of King's College London.