In Memoriam - FriendSpeak

A Letter from Ashwini

The last memory I have of you is of us – you, me , and Apphia, as kids. You do remember what this trio used to do as kids…- making extra – ordinary recipes using tiffin leftovers, making perfumes, and also creating jingles (you remember English Marie) We really had fun at Amma’s place. I remember you as a cute boy with expressive eyes, full of knowledge wanting to be shared.

Honestly, I used to love coming to your place. You were so talkative as a kid. I used to be amazed at your intelligence. I also remember our trip to Matheran. You were just two years old. We used to sing the song, “Give me oil in my lamp” all the time. You as usual kept talking and entertaining us.

Gideon, you were a genius as a kid too. I recollect you making some unique sketches at just 3 years old. You used to make some gadgets and explain them proudly.

We used to go to Jhulla Maidan and even Hanging Garden. Do you remember how I fell from the swing? J As a teen too, I remember us going to Haji Ali and hanging around. Once some eunuchs came and started pestering you, and we all laughed so much at you.

Honestly, when I recall our memories, there’s always a big smile on my face. I really loved those days. Wish we could relive them.

Love

Ashu

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I know Gideon from the YMCA Day camp days at Colaba. 

He was this young enthusiatic boy filled with knowlegde that he was ready to share with all. Through the years we kept in touch and it was amazing to see how he was always hungry for computer knowledge. 

When I heard of his illness it came as a shock. But the way he fought through it all till the end was amazing. 

A true inspiration. He is in a better place now.

- Chris Sadananda,
Secretary of YMCA, 
Procter Branch.

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I did not know Gideon that well as a person. We hung out in the same church circles so we usually met at conventions or retreats. I lived in the suburbs and his family lived in town so we didn't meet much and neither were we close.

As the years drew on, we grew older, and as it mostly happens with old acquaintances, went about in our own little worlds. I became aware only in 2018 that Gideon was ill and that he was not in the country. I came to know of it from close friends in Mumbai. After a few months, we received the shocking news that he had passed.

Two memories I have of Gideon are worth a mention in this space.

One was when I heard him sing in a Convention in Khandala. I think it was 2001 and he came on stage to sing Paul Wilbur's "These are the days of Elijah..." I had just been baptised and listening to him sing the words to that song moved me deeply.

The 2nd was when Gideon and his family had come down to the South for a Convention in Chennai and Ooty. This was 2003-04. We were all living in the same retreat centre and a couple of us youth explored the mountainside together. Gideon was a bit aloof at first, but once he began talking, he just opened up and let loose and talked, and talked, and talked. We were supposed to go to an animal sanctuary called Mudumalai after the Convention, but unfortunately after a long drive from Ooty to Mudumalai, we found the sanctuary closed. The reason being the elephants used for the safaris were being vaccinated, and the rangers were doing their annual rounds of the local species count. We had all been imagining what we would see and what we would do, and had been so excited all along the way, and this news was like a bucket of cold water thrown on our heads. Gideon, Apphia, and I were sorely depressed and tried cheering each other up with limericks and 'the ant the elephant' jokes on the way back. When we got out of the jeep to stretch our legs, Gideon suddenly felt an urge to climb a tree, so he, Apphia, his dad, and my husband today - Shadrach Joseph climbed up a tree there in the middle of Masinagudi (the area where the sanctuary was situated). What's more, they thought it would be fun to make monkey noises ('since we haven't seen any real monkeys, we might as well act like them and enjoy the experience' was the logic behind this) I managed to get a shot of them all up in the tree.

Right after this, a little distance further we saw a calf lying on the road to rest and made the jeep driver stop, got off and petted it. We were so excited to see that little calf! It was hilarious! Gideon made a joke about how we were so desperate so see wildlife, that we were ready to settle even for a domestic herbivore! And this cracked us all up.

When I just began feeling like I was getting to know Gideon and Apphia better, it was time for them to head home, and the rest as they say, is history.

However, that day, I caught a small glimpse of Gideon's soul - his tenacity, his optimism, and his love for life, and his ability to cheer up the dreariest of situations.

When I went through his 'go fund me' page and read through his experience with cancer, I felt his pain palpably. It was no wonder he met his enemy head on - he was such a fireball.

- Benita Maria Joseph,
Rhema Life Ministry,
Coimbatore, TN.

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Gideon, and I, we used to conduct camps together for young boys and girls at YMCA Camp Lakeside.

He was very passionate about camping, cycling, and trekking.

He was a person full of energy, enthusiasm, and dedicated towards his work.

He used to always motivate young campers, and encourage them to overcome their fear of heights and water phobia.I still remember when he used to tell all the campers, "Your morning exercise will set the tone for the entire day."

I still have a lot of fond memories working with him as a volunteer.

I am sure he has made a valuable contribution and a positive impact in the lives of many campers.

- Rafael Christopher,
YMCA, Belapur.