Sarita Ambawatte / Edge reporter
Growing up as an only child, pushed me to have a closer relationship with my parents, but the bond I have with my mother is incomparable. Being able to learn through her advice and experiences, has been one of the best gifts I could receive, and I couldn’t thank her enough for the great life she’s given me. Though she helps me with the ups and downs of my life with her guidance and support, it doesn’t mean she never had any struggles of her own.
My mother, Deepthika Gooneratne, grew up in a loving and hard-working family in Colombo, Sri Lanka with her younger sister and older brother. Her father was a successful lawyer in the country and her mother has been a tennis coach since she was married, to this day. Deepthika’s parents played a huge role in her life with the constant life-lessons and reminders instilled in her brain about doing the best she could.
Ladies Collage school, Colombo.
Deep was a troublesome student, and tended to give her parents a hard time, but in grade 10 she found herself willing to make the change and approached life with a different perspective.To attain her goals, she used to write them down and return to them every three years, in which at least 70% were achieved.
When I asked her about her childhood aspirations, she mentioned the dream of becoming a doctor to please her mum, ‘’but heart of hearts I knew that wasn’t going to be…my brother made it though!’’ added Deepthika.
In post-secondary school, my mother took economics, bank law, foreign exchange, accounts and elements of banking. Along with the many courses she applied herself too, she also was a training. Manager, and a tennis coach much like her mother.
Knowing the medical field wasn’t for her, Deep understood he still had to start somewhere, and landed her first job as a bank clerk. ‘’I was most excited about my salary, which of course was peanuts…it was so boring and I really felt like quitting on day one’’ said my mum. Compared to her job today as a Senior Trade Finance Specialist at RBC, she believes this is a way more responsible role with much greater value.
Not only did Deepthika work as a bank clerk in the past, but a training manager and a tennis coach much like her mother.
One of the main events that brought Deepthika to where she is today is her first promotion at the bank. It was built around the completion of the level 1 associateship of banking.
“I recall doing that exam without telling my dad in fear of failing it, and when I passed, it was n awesome moment” said Deep. Her dad was a prominent supporter in her life, and guided her through her whole banking career with his initial push over 30 years ago. Without her father’s suggestion, Deep may not have ever considered working in a bank.
Another moment that affected her life was the constant risk-taking and moving countries based on job opportunities, “I don’t regret any risks I took though”, she added.
Nevertheless, her life wasn’t always full of happy moments, there were downsides in her work field and school life too. Managing course work, studying and having an 8-hour job, “I found myself having to focus on time management and prioritizing my work instead” she said.
To get her through these difficulties, my mother turned to her faith in God. One of the quotes/ mantra’s that helped her with challenging times was from the Bible and was her grandmother’s favourite verse that she lives by.
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ – Philippians 4 vs 6-7.
With the successful job my mother has today, and the experiences she gained along the way, she has done nothing but work hard to get to where she is today. Deepthika is a role model to me, and I strive to follow in her footsteps.
“It’s a hard road ahead, but nothing is impossible. Work hard, stay focused, do your best, and be a good individual and the sky will be the limit for you”, are the words of motivation my mother gave me.
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