Please
click here to view a copy of the Service for
Grace. This was read out by Kimberley at the Service: "
Being one of the only other little white girls in class it was inevitable that
we became friends and that means sharing our lunch box goodies back then (she
had some pretty sought after English snacks in there). Going over to her place
to play was always a highlight for me because she had an incredible collection
of toys including a play/doll house (if I remember right). As much as my mum
made sure we had a bit of England in our home, going to Grace’s was the closest
I’d feel to being in England. At mine, having had a dad with a band and a music
room, we took full advantage along with another very dear friend of ours, Tulsi.
In fact, we were quite the crew together. On Saturday’s my dad’s band would be
over to practice and when we’d have one of our many sleepovers, we’d beg them to
take more than their needed number of breaks so we could take over their mikes
and lip sync songs, mainly the Spice Girls back then, with dance moves and much
enthusiasm (think we could have given the Spice Girl’s a run for their money).
We were quite dedicated to our performances and would practice up in my room
before the band came. We’d dress up in outfits, splash on glitter make up and
dance and sing in front of the mirror ready for the big, repetitive
performances. We were quite the divas. Even if the band wasn’t over and we were
having a sleepover, we’d get my dad to set up all the music and equipment and
get my brother, Danny, to flash a torch at us while we sang. He wasn’t allowed
to giggle at us either. We were scarily serious about our shows and the adults
had no choice but to watch and applaud!
Grace Tulsi and I were pretty inseparable. Tulsi was pin-toed when she was
younger, our PE teacher would give Tulsi lessons in walking and Grace and I
would follow the lesson like blind bats even though we were perfectly fine with
our walk, we just had to be together!
I reached out to our class a few weeks ago to try and dig up some old memories.
Aditya (we called him Chinky back then) reminded us of his birthday party at
Cubbon Park one year. Grace drank so much Gold Spot (Indian orange soda) that
Aditya’s mum had to take her to the bathroom every few minutes over a whole
three hours.
Vedika remembers one of her birthday parties where she waited for everyone to
leave before she opened her presents but Grace was so determined to be there
when she opened them she made her parents drive her all the way back to Vedika’s
house at night so she could be there with her.
Grace’s leaving party was also quite a highlight and talked about topic in
class. There were so many gifts, food and games, Rohit liked to describe it as
being in Wonderland!
Vivek remembers the time we were all putting up a play in school, hazy on which
year but it was set in the Dinosaur Courtyard and we were all animals. Vivek’s
tights ripped on stage but Grace kindly lent him her pink tights. Luckily, he
was the pig
These are only a few of the many things we did with Grace. Tulsi was pen pals
with her when she left to England and I got the chance to see her at my parents
25th anniversary the year before she passed. It was quite amazing to see how
much we’d grown since the last time we’d seen each other, now (almost) adults,
she was gorgeous, same smile, same giggle, same Grace. She also introduced me to
the world of Primark when I complimented her dress only to have her tell me how
much the dress cost and that I could get it at Primark with great glee. Never
got the dress, but did hit the store.
I didn’t get to see her much after she left school but I’m glad I got to see her
one last time. That image of her will never be forgotten. She has left a scar on
us all and she will always be a part of who we are today, even if it’s just in a
little smile."
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