Post Scripts

A memorial service was held on 18 March 2009 at the Christ Church Centenary Memorial Hall in Thiruvananthapuram. All their living children (Ammu, Uthaman, Achachi and Suku) were present along with the spouses of Late Bavan, Uthaman and Late Leela. Nearly 50 of the close relatives from both Karukayil and Kovoor families attended the service conducted by six pastors. One of them was an Orthodox Church priest from Karukayil  family. Mr. C. Thomas IAS (Retired) and former Chief Secretary of Kerala spoke on behalf of Karukayil family. Introductory Remarks by George Thomas at this Memorial Service are reproduced below:

Respected Vicars, family members and friends:

I am very happy and privileged to stand here today and welcome each one of you. First, let me explain the background of this get-together and prayer meeting. We wanted to celebrate the lives of our parents Mr. and Mrs. K. T. Thomas, and of our late brother Mr. K. T. Thomas (Bavachen to many and Bavachachen to me!) and of our late sister Dr. Leela John (Leelak to many and Leelachechi to me!). Our father and mother passed away 35 years and 25 years ago. Leelachechy passed away 20 years ago. Bavachachen passed away a year and four months ago. Our youngest brother-in-law Dr. Abraham Thomas passed away in Pune last year. Today is Bavachachen’s 81st birth day. Both our parents had their birth days in March. Thus, we chose this month and date and year to remember and celebrate their lives with our close family members and friends. The Christ Church in Trivandrum has a central place in my family’s faith-journey. All six of us – children of Mr. and Mrs. K. T. Thomas were confirmed here. I was baptized in this Church by late Rev. Abraham Koshy. Leelachechi and my youngest sister Kochechi got married here. Our parents are buried here. I was a small boy singing in the choir along with my two sisters when the then Emperor late Haile Selassie laid the foundation of this Centenary Hall. My last presence in this hall was in 1964 as the Secretary of Christ Church Fellowship. Yes, I must witness here that the basic steps of my own faith-journey began in this parish and under the watch of late Very Rev. M. V. George and late Rev. K.I. Koshy. Thus, it is with great nostalgia that I stand here today. Our parents came to Trivandrum in 1941. So our family’s connection to Trivandrum and the Christ Church is 68 years old. They came from two different backgrounds. My father belonged to the KARUKAYIL family and came with Anglican background. My mother came from the KOVOOR family with Mar Thoma background. They were two totally different personalities. Together they brought up six children with limited resources and with their own struggles. I do not propose to talk more about our parents and other departed ones. Your very presence tells us what they mean to each one of you. One thing I can say. Their light is shining through our lives and our children’s lives. They have given us certain precious values and simple life-styles. They are remembered and honored in our respective families. Their love and sacrifices are on the lips of each one of us.

Through an Out-of-Blue Heart Bypass Surgery 2020

On a golden October afternoon in 2020, I felt an unfamiliar heaviness in my chest during my routine walk. It was merely a strange, intense pressure—nothing so dramatic as to call for alarm. I paused, caught my breath on a nearby bench, and the discomfort faded as quietly as it had come. Yet, over the next two weeks, this sensation became a recurring visitor, disturbing the easy rhythm of my daily stroll.

Reluctantly, I sought out my General Practitioner, who, after listening carefully, prescribed a battery of tests—blood work, an ECG, echocardiogram, and finally, a CT scan. Each test nudged us a step further along a path I never expected to travel. The CT scan’s results were deeply concerning and quickly led to an angiography on December 10th. It revealed something daunting: six significant blockages in my coronary arteries—well beyond what a stent or balloon could remedy. The medical team recommended a triple bypass, which, after further review, became a quadruple bypass.

I was admitted to Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen on December 8th, 2020. Due to the strain on hospital resources during the pandemic, I waited until December 23rd for surgery. Christmas that year was spent amid the quiet bustle of the hospital ward, far from family celebrations. Yet, the ordeal was softened by the structured care and love that surrounded me—not only from the nurses and doctors but also through a well-planned rehabilitation program at Frederiksberg Hospital that would span twelve weeks.

In retrospect, certain memories of my hospital stay burn bright and distinct. Most powerfully, I recall the deeply humane, egalitarian care in this 100% public healthcare system—no bias for color, creed, or background. I witnessed, in awe, the tireless commitment of healthcare workers, especially amid the ongoing pandemic. Their selfless service was matched by the professional excellence and gentle care of the medical staff. The hospital delivered not only high standards in daily care, hygiene, and medication, but also a profound compassion. Yet not all memories are gentle; the long wait for surgery, separated from friends and family, was heavy with uncertainty and isolation.

Through this unexpected ordeal, I found myself in uncharted territory, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Alone in my hospital room, I discovered—perhaps for the first time—the restorative power of solitude. The usual distractions of the outside world faded away. My mobile phone lay untouched for long stretches. What began as loneliness turned into a sanctuary for reflection and prayer.

Sometimes, I turned to a Danish hymn that echoed in my mind: “There is a road that we all walk alone, it goes towards darkness, an unknown land of twilight.” I realized—acutely—that there are moments in life when our loved ones cannot walk beside us. In those moments, I found the presence of Christ to be tangible, real—carrying and strengthening me when I could do nothing for myself.

Each day, I began to recognize the face of Christ in those who nursed me—the doctors, nurses, and staff bearing medicine, food, bed linen, or a gentle word. They appeared as living angels, their acts of love manifesting the selflessness I longed to embody more fully in my own life. Their kindness was both humbling and moving—a mirror reflecting where my faith had been more a matter of belief than practice.

On the day of my surgery, as I was wheeled into the theatre, I expected to be anxious or afraid. Yet, a profound calm enveloped me—a peace even the anesthetists remarked upon. Was I afraid of death? The question arose unbidden, and an inner voice whispered back: “No, I am not.” My faith, tested in that crucible, felt solid enough to echo the Apostle Paul: “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

After surgery, I woke in the ICU with no pain, no discomfort—astonishingly so. Even the hospital’s information brochures had prepared me for pain and recovery struggles, but I was spared. In quiet prayers, I believed: “I have taken it all for you.” The meaning of Christ as Redeemer deepened within me.

Messages of prayer and support arrived daily from family and friends. I experienced a tangible sense of being carried on a cloud of intercessory prayer, buoyed by their love and faith. This, too, was healing.

One scripture, above all, summed up my experience: “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength.” (2 Timothy 4:17).

More than eight weeks since my surgery, I now walk 40-45 minutes each day and continue my rehabilitation exercises. My mind, however, often runs ahead of my paces, asking questions I never had before: Why have I been given this new lease on life? What will I do with my remaining days, however many or few? My priorities are shifting, my soul drawn from secular shores to deeper spiritual waters.

The prayer of the Psalmist has become my own: “Create in me a new heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). I long to be like the cedar of Lebanon—faith rooted deep, hope budding upward, and love spreading wide.

One truth, above all, now comforts me: All trials refine us, transforming our knowledge of God into lived experience. This unexpected journey, with all its tests, became a wake-up call—inviting me to walk the rest of my journey with greater readiness, shaped and sanctified by what I have passed through.

Susan’s 75 Years Celebrated on Omø 2021

On 31 May 1946, Susan turned 75, and we marked this special milestone with an unforgettable day organized by our son Abhay, who hosted a beautiful dinner party at his seaside villa on Omø. This picturesque Danish island, nestled in the Great Belt, is renowned for its tranquil beaches, welcoming community, and unspoiled natural beauty—a true hidden gem of Denmark. Joining us were Arne and Ingeborg Kappelgaard and Maryanne Højlund, dear Danish friends since the 1990s. We began the day with a heartfelt thanksgiving service at the villa, presided by Arne, a retired pastor of the Danish State Lutheran Church. Anu, Biju, and Caruna joined the celebration via Zoom. Later, during dinner, Anu sang one of Susan's favorite songs, “Mother of Mine, You Gave to Me All My Life.” Moved by the music and memories, we found ourselves in tears of joy and gratitude—a fitting and emotional finale to the celebration of a noble woman’s life. Abhay delivered a toast to his mother during the dinner - as given below:

Thank you all so much for coming.

Today marks a momentous occasion for the George family as we gather to celebrate my mother, who is about to turn 75. Of course, in today’s world, 75 is truly the new 65—thanks to the remarkable advances in science and medicine that have extended our lifespans and enriched our later years.

However, there's a small technicality: my mother’s 75th birthday actually falls on Monday, 31 May. So, in a sense, you are all here under slightly premature circumstances! But I think we can all agree—any excuse to come together and raise a glass is a good one, so let’s make the most of it.

Before we toast, I’d like to take this opportunity to look back—just briefly—at the past. It's often worth reflecting on the events behind us, as they continue to shape our present and our future.

The year 1946, seventy-five years ago, was a time of new beginnings and major turning points:

• The United Nations General Assembly held its very first meeting, following the devastation of the Second World War.

• In India, the movement for independence was reaching its peak, leading to the end of the British Empire a year later.

• Syria and Jordan gained their independence from colonial rule.

• Italy became a republic as its royal family was overthrown.

That same year saw the birth of many influential figures who have shaped our world in countless ways—politicians like Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, and Sonia Gandhi; and stars from the world of entertainment such as Dolly Parton, Freddie Mercury, Liza Minnelli, Steven Spielberg, Gianni Versace, Jose Carreras, and Deepak Chopra. When I looked at the list, it seemed almost every household name came from that very year.

I have been blessed to share close to 42 of those 75 years. I recall my earliest memories of my mother from when I was about five or six. As a full-time working mother, her days off were precious to both of us. I remember with joy the Saturdays we would spend together—watching television, cuddling in bed, going to the market, or visiting neighbors.

Mum was—and is—a great provider. No matter how many hours she spent at work or at home, it seemed she never tired of caring for our family. From serving breakfasts and packing lunch boxes, to making sure our homework was done and tending to scraped knees, she did it all with tireless energy and resolve, never once complaining.

Beyond being the heart of our home, my mother has always been a friend to my sister and me—a listening ear, a gentle guide, and someone we could always talk to. She knew where to set boundaries, but always did so with kindness.

Recently, a friend said to me, "When I grow old, I want to be like your mother." What a tribute! That sums up how we all see her—calm, peaceful, trustworthy. Not without her share of troubles and challenges, but always rising above them.

Her Christian faith has been a source of strength and comfort, shaping her into the remarkable woman we celebrate today. When I look at her, I see the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Reflecting on what the Bible says about growing older, I am reminded of these words from Isaiah 46:4:

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

This verse reminds us that God’s care spans our whole lives—from the cradle to the grave. He is with us at every stage, not just in our vibrant youth, but as we grow older and wiser. And let’s not forget, even Moses lived to be 120—perhaps there are plenty more years ahead for Mum!

Thank you all once again for being here. Happy (almost) Birthday, Mum! Now, I’d like to raise a toast in Danish: Three short Hurras and one long Hurra.

“Til mor længe leve, HURRA! HURRA! HURRA! HURAAAAAA!”

Graduation of Caruna from UCLA 2025

 Our beloved granddaughter Caruna has graduated with departmental honors in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), achieving a top GPA and earning her Bachelor of Science degree. The graduation ceremony, a grand celebration of scholarly accomplishment, was held in July 2025 at UCLA’s iconic Pauley Pavilion. While Susan and I regrettably could not attend this august occasion, we were comforted by knowing Caruna’s parents were there to cheer her on in person.

This year’s UCLA commencement was marked by uplifting speeches, moving musical performances, and the conferral of degrees upon thousands of brilliant graduates. Notably, the ceremonies featured a keynote address by Grammy-winning artist Sara Bareilles, who urged graduates to embrace kindness and curiosity as they step into a world filled with challenges and opportunities. University leaders highlighted the graduates’ remarkable resilience and contributions to community service and research, underscoring the values that make UCLA a beacon of excellence.

We are deeply thankful and proud of the way Caruna has conducted herself throughout her challenging four years at UCLA, always upholding the values and honor so precious to our family. As she turns the page to her next chapter, we rejoice in her achievements and pray that God may guide her future with wisdom, fulfillment, and continuing grace.