Can’t believe you are gone, dear Sano Chacha (Uncle Sano)! There will be no more regular e-mails of birthday and anniversary wishes, no more regular phone calls coming all the way from Oslo… just to say hi and keep in touch.
My father Nasrullah (Nasir), was the eldest son among his five brothers. My younger brother Faisal and I have very vivid memories of the time we were growing up in Karachi, closer to both our maternal and paternal sides of the family. My parents both played a very significant role in the lives of all our uncles (my paternal uncles, four of them, as we call them “chacha” in Sindhi). My parents always welcomed them in our home, and offered them help and guidance whenever needed. As they were his younger brothers, my father was always concerned about their education, their well-being and even settling them out in their marriages, both my parents have been extremely supportive to them all, may Allah bless them for their good deeds. Ameen.
Among my uncles and aunts, my most favourite have always been both Sano Chacha and his dear wife Aunty Britt. I love them both so much. During the early years we have fond memories of them both visiting Karachi, before and after their children Jan and Tina were born. We too visited Norway during the 80’s and the early 90’s and the memories are remarkable. Some pictures of the visits I’ll share below. My mother and Aunty Britt have been close friends and they lovingly called her "Sisi".
Sano Chacha was humble, funny and I found him always easily approachable. He shared with me a great bond of uncle-niece friendship with his great sense of humour. During the years Sano Chacha worked for EB and other companies, he used to come for short visits to Karachi, which made Nasir and Sisi so happy. We would enjoy my mother’s delicious cooking and at the same time the chocolates Sano Chacha would bring as gifts for the family. That was also the time, Daddy was teaching me, how to drive a car. And my Dad had a temper… may Allah bless him. My driving skills were near perfection but I just could not learn how to reverse or to parallel park. I gave up! It was Sano Chacha who took me by the hand and further encouraged me to complete my driving lessons and helped me learn how to reverse with his patience and perseverance. I’ll always remember him for that. As kids, both Faisal and I had a good time watching ‘hindi’ movies late at night with Sano Chacha over a cup of coffee and “Dajm” chocolates, with endless laughter over how silly and exaggerated these movies really were… we had fun!
Time passed by and we were extremely saddened to know about my Uncle’s illness. It brought us all down with sorrow. Although a ray of hope was there that he will be receiving treatment and will live longer and a healthier life. Although the following years only once did he come back to Pakistan, and this time with Jan, and his lovely wife Frøydis accompanied with little Theo, who brought so much joy to the family. Alongwith Aunty Britt, Tina, and Froydis' parents. We have great memories of their trip. Attached are a few pictures to share those memories. Sano Chacha always stayed in touch and shall be missed.
I remember, there were times when I used to be sad, he would laugh at me, looking into my eyes and used to say “looks like you sold butter and didn’t get paid for it!!” Well as of now , I’m honestly very sad dear Sano Chach … and even today, your funny jokes are there in my memory to put a smile back on my face again! Now that you have returned back to your Creator, you are at peace and best of all…you are pain-free. May the Gardens of Jannah, be your eternal abode. Ameen.
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Following are some captions for the pictures I’ve attached:
1. With Aunty Britt, Far and Mor-mor, at their residence in Hamar. (1993, when I visited Norway).
Sano Chacha and I (Karachi)
With Sano Chacha and my husband Shams (Naveed), in Karachi.
When all our Norwegein family visited us in Karachi.
Sisi and Sanu enjoying a good chat at dinner. ( Karachi)
Aunty Britt, Jan and Tina along with Sisi, sight-seeing at the Quaid’s mazaar in Karachi.
Celebrating Tina’s second birthday in Karachi. In the picture, Sano Chacha, my grand-father (Dada), Aunty Britt, Jan, little Tina, my brother Faisal and I can be seen, while Sisi is on the right side of the picture.
In the last picture both my parents Nasir and Sisi can be seen hugging Sanu Chacha, its a very happy picture. This was taken when they all had gone and stayed at my brother Faisal’s place when he was posted in Geneva. Beautiful memories <3
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