A Daughter's Last Goodbye To Her Mum
“I never once imagined that the last words I would say to my mother would be goodbye. That moment now stands as the last memory of her waving happily as I set off for a regular day at work.”
Friday 11 August 2023 | 12:55
Merelita Nawaqasena, daughter Diana with a photo of her late mother and grandmother, Mere Salu, at their home in Tamavua Village on August 10, 2023. Photo: Ronald Kumar
I didn’t know it would be my last goodbye.
Merelita Nawaqasema, daughter of the late Mere Salu, fought back tears as she shared the heart-wrenching experience of losing her 63-year-old mother.
Ms Salu was killed in a car accident at Nina Street, Suva, on Wednesday which also hospitalised a 49-year-old woman with severe injuries at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH).
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It seemed like any other shopping day for Ms Salu who was accompanied by her youngest daughter, Diana Nawaqasema, and granddaughter, Merlyn Ruth.
Witnesses said the vehicle allegedly executed a clumsy reverse manoeuvre resulting in it mounting the footpath and striking the two victims.
Struggling with disbelief and emotions, Ms Nawaqasema, 34, recounted her ordinary farewell to her family at their Tamavua home before going to work that fateful morning.
“I never once imagined that the last words I would say to my mother would be goodbye. That moment now stands as the last memory of her waving happily as I set off for a regular day at work.”
She received the devastating news upon returning home in the evening.
“As I entered, the first thing I heard were my niece’s voice saying, ‘Na levu, Bu has passed away,” she said.
“I haven’t slept since then.”
She described her mother as a patient and persevering woman who treated the challenges of life as an experience and a leap of faith.
Ms Nawaqasema’s husband Peni Sauna said the three had left their residence about 9am, and it was merely two hours later when he received the distressing phone call.
“My sister-in-law called saying something had happened to my mother-in-law. From the sound of her voice, I could tell it was serious because she was stuttering and crying,” he said.
He rushed to the hospital, where he was met with the heartbreaking news.
Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro yesterday confirmed that the suspect was in custody.
As Police continue their investigations, Ms Nawaqasema is hopeful for greenlight to arrange for her mother’s funeral.
Ms Salu is survived by her six children and two grandchildren.
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