Of a lovely moon
Capt. Elmo Jayawardena
One has to take a mirror and look at one's own life to fathom and
appreciate this book. Vinita wrote her words while sitting on a
wheelchair and being fed by a tube and talking to people through a
computer voice where she made limited conversation with friends who came
to visit.
I know the 'Go Slowly Lovely Moon' well as I worked with Vinita from
the inception to the completion of this 'hard to believe' fairytale of
how she fought to do what she wanted to do; to write a book.
 This
is not simply a work of literature, no, not by any imaginable standard.
Yes there is a story and there is fact and humour twined with a simple
family life of a simple woman. That is the narrative part, visible and
readable and able to stand with the best on a book stand. But the meat
of the matter is much more as it is a clear cut testimony of someone's
courage and unconquered spirit; something which Vinita has displayed
clearly to us whilst defining from the very first page how strong the
human spirit could be when embroiled with trails that would beat or
smite lesser beings.
When she says that she can now watch a raindrop fall or see a white
cloud move across a clear blue sky and enjoy the squirrels frolicking on
trees, she certainly is tallying her blessings and teaching us too, how
to do so.
The book may not receive literary accolades, or make the short lists
in awards for Vinita to be counted among the literate. But anyone who
reads 'Go Slowly Lovely Moon' would get a clear- cut lesson in life, of
things that matter and of things that would leave lasting marks in
anyone's soul and mind. The pages run in fast train fashion on Vinita's
world, from her roots in India to her years in Sri Lanka which became
her home when soul partner Sarath wooed her in marriage more than a
quarter century ago. She talks of the ups and downs in one and the same
breath and lays it all bare in naked truth.
There isn't a sigh in the book, there isn't a tear nor a moment of
'why me' regret. The pages roll in humour and love and family banter and
the deep appreciation Vinita has of life itself, dressed both in veils
and rags as the years roll, telling us all what it is to wake each
morning and be happy that "I have the gift of this day."
That's all I need to say about 'Go slowly Lovely Moon'. I cannot
quantify her courage nor qualify to write in judgment of such a mementos
feat. When someone in Vinita's shoes takes life by the throat and
dictates her own terms and makes her stubborn decision and writes her
own book, I can only stand and applaud. Yes! Author Vinita, I am
cheering 'Go Slowly Lovely Moon', I am cheering aloud and clear.
Read the book my friend, if not anything else, Vinita Piyaratna would
teach you some incredibly important lessons in how to count your
blessings As Bradman Weerakoon says, "I have never been more privileged
in writing a foreword than for this book. The story of the most
courageous woman I have ever met." Thank you Bradman, you certainly hit
a six there. The book will be available at Rs. 500. The sale proceeds
will be for people in need.
Let the moon go slow, it is for us to look and appreciate.
Thank you Vinita, for showing the way.
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