STORY 24 – GRATITUDE

by Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri remembered all the positive, kind and generous actions and incidents of people. She also treasured the generous offerings that she received.

She remembered the name of the donors who offered the shrine table at the monastery. She remembered the young woman who offered the shrine table for Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage with her first pay from work. She also remembered the people who offered the vases for the shrine and the people who knitted the beanies and woolen warm clothing for her. She even told me the person who offered her the lifetime membership of Buddhist Publication Society in memory of their father.

She still stayed in contact with Dayaseeli, the woman who only speaks Sinhala and who went to the Parappuduwa Nuns’ Island to cook for the nuns. Every year, Dayaseeli used to send us beautiful big Vesak cards from Sri Lanka. Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri would take time to get someone to write a letter back to Dayaseeli in Sinhala. She also continued to stay in contact with her childhood neighbour, Margery (in her late 80’s).

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri was always very grateful for the help and support that she received. It was very difficult for me to inform Dayaseeli and Margery about her death.

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