NISSANKA & SUNITHA

Mateship to me is about loyalty and respect and my Thathi (Sri Lankan for Dad) was the first person to teach me that. In a sense, he was my very first mate and taught me how to be a good mate to all those around me. It's the reason I am so lucky to have built so many strong friendships throughout my life.

Thathi has always been the anchor of our family, a steady ship in the stormy sea of life. He has guided me and my sister through many difficult life decisions by offering us wise words of wisdom at the exact moment we needed it. He is a man who followed his heart and taught me and my sister to do the same in all aspects of our lives.

Courageous is one of the many words that come to mind when I think of him as it seems like his whole life was a courageous leap of faith. He moved to the middle east at the age of 21, then decided to go to Canada to study, and finally moved to the other side of the world with a young family. I cannot ever thank him and Ammi (Mum) enough for making these huge sacrifices for our family. If it wasn't for that, my sister and I would not be where we are now.

In a year that has been filled with so much sadness with the loss of Ammi the courage and strength he has shown has helped our family slowly move forward with life. He is our rock and his guidance has been my compass for life.

He has taught me to think before I speak and look before I leap, in all areas of my life. My dad is my hero, my mate, and the man I will always strive to be like.

~ Nissanka