Beletech Molla, Belisha, is a beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend who left tremendous impact on the lives of countless children and community elders who were in need. How did Belisha touch you and your family? How long had you known her?
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Hana Sishu
from
Aldie, VA November 3, 2023 at
2:38 am
There are a multitude of adjectives in the English dictionary, many of which describe Belisha perfectly. However, when I think about her one word comes to mind: nurturing. Belisha was the kind of person who never spoke ill of others and was genuinely kind to everyone she met. But, for me, Belisha’s defining quality was her selfless love.
When I first met Belisha I was 5 years old. We lived with Belisha and Abe until my parents and I finally got a place of our own. I didn’t know either of them and I was scared and missed my dad when we first came to Virginia. The first night with Abe and Belisha was fun. My mom, Belea, and I slept on the bed and Abe, like a gentleman, volunteered to sleep on the couch in their tiny one bedroom apartment in Alexandria. My mom fell asleep quickly but Belisha stayed up with me talking, laughing, and playing etemite until I eventually got tired and fell asleep. From the first day she met me Belisha treated me like a daughter….her daughter. As I got older she became a friend, my best friend in fact. She would always listen to my rants about unimportant things like whatever new artist I was listening to, or my favorite book and why she should read it, and my tangents about how amazing—or awful—new music for our next band concert was. However, she wasn’t only my best friend, she was—in her words not mine—“everyone’s bestie.”
Her love and affection was pure. Her purest form of love was reserved for her children. Betty, Amy, Melat. Your mother was an incredible woman, someone everyone deserved to know, she was not only a good person but a good Christian, and you should be very proud of that. She was cherished by so many people and you are not alone in your grief. Abe, you and Belea both hold a special place in my heart; I hope to have a relationship and a love like you and Belisha shared someday. Belisha is in a much better place now, and although that doesn’t lessen the pain, I am hopeful that one day we all reach a point where we can share our happy memories of her and smile instead of cry.
Over 15 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Belisha for the first time through Abisha who was and still is a good friend of my family. She was a delightful and beautiful young lady, and all my family enjoyed having her, even on that initial encounter. Both of us eventually relocated to the United States, maintaining a close connection and making an effort to visit each other whenever possible.
One unforgettable memory happened when Belisha and her family visited us for our son's christening. At that moment, she was expecting their second child, Amy, while their eldest, Bethy, was merely one year old. Despite all the reasons they had not to come, they embarked on a seven-hour overnight drive to attend the service. This act of unwavering commitment exemplified Belisha's character – she would go to great lengths to stand by your side when you needed her.
Less than a year later, my family reciprocated by visiting them in Virginia for a two-night stay. When it was time for us to leave for another family commitment, Belisha, true to her nature, begged us to extend our stay. Regrettably, we declined her kind offer, leaving for our next destination. We could sense her disappointment as we departed.
Tragically, the unexpected occurred – we never reached our intended destination. Our eight-month-old baby fell seriously ill, prompting us to rush him to the emergency room. His condition worsened, leading to his transfer to the INOVA Fairfax Children's Hospital in an ambulance, a terrifying experience for my husband and I. We spent the night and the following day at the hospital, and we couldn't help but regret our decision to leave Belisha's home early. It became a valuable lesson – Belisha's desire for us to stay was rooted in genuine love, a lesson we would carry with us.
In the last five years, we lost touch with a belief that we will continue from where we left of when we meet next, which I deeply regret to this day. We only learned of her illness belatedly, and even then, I refused to accept the possibility of losing her. I didn't call her, didn't visit, not even once. Even in her final moments, I clung to the belief that it shall all be passing, a story to tell. It was a form of self-denial that now fills me with overwhelming remorse. No amount of retrospective actions can change the fact that I never visited her, and I must live with that regret. However, I pray that I could always stay close to her family, and be there for them whenever they need someone.
Belishaye, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for not visiting you during your illness. Rest in peace, my beautiful and kind friend.
Until we meet again!
Afomeya(Pomi)
from
Dublin,Ohio November 2, 2023 at
10:16 pm
No words can describe how I am feeling, Belisha. I always wonder why someone like you would be taken from us. But then I think of what your response would be "Whatever happens, it is God's plan Pomiye." Firstly, I thank god for giving me such a blessed, strong, smart, and faithful godmother. Your humility made you believe you didn't do enough for me, but Belisha you did more than any Krista Enat would ever do. It was like there was no age difference between us because we could talk for hours and hours, laughing and telling each other the ups and downs of life like two best friends. I always felt like I had a shoulder to cry on when you were here. You would constantly beg to come and see me during my health struggles in life. You would never forget to say I love you before you end any conversation. You would without a miss say" Pomiye est men legzalesh, men lelakelsh". If only I knew of the suffering you were enduring.
But that suffering, you made sure no one saw it in you. I will never forget our last conversation, Belishaye. I cried at the thought of you being critically ill and you told me from that hospital bed
"Pomiye, I am feeling very well thanks to god. After this time passes, I will visit you every chance I get." If only I knew you would leave us very soon. I will always regret not seeing you before you passed, not talking to you every moment I got, and not coming to Virginia more often, but Belishaye you were right, it was God's plan. He wanted you in the place you belong.
This world is simply not good enough for a person like you. There is a big gaping hole when I think about you not being here but you have left a forever lasting mark in my heart. I will always remember and cherish the beautiful moments we had. Goodbye is not forever. Goodbye is not the end. It simply means I'lI miss you until we meet again. May you rest in peace Belishaye.
I will always love and miss you
Your Goddaughter Afomeya Baye (Pomi)
Selam
from
Addis Ababa November 1, 2023 at
2:41 pm
She was such an amazing strong woman. She is like my first person to mention when it comes to about my future life, I have been dreaming to be like her since high school and still now, l always always talk about how gifted she is; that she has everything that everyone wants. I always wonder how could I become like her a strong, independent, spiritual ,generous, outgoing beautiful soul but things happen for a reason that I understand. And God wants us to realize something by taking you with him. God bless your pure heart belishaye rest in heaven!
Daniel Negatu
from
Aldie November 1, 2023 at
5:22 am
I have no words to express her kindness and compassion towards everyone she reminds me my mother and all Ethiopian kind mothers though i should have comfort her on her rainy days which I didn’t because of this American life that would be the credit which lives with me through my life but she is such a pure human being with full of kindness and love and grace i definitely know that her place is haven and she will be smiling upon us from there because that’s is where she belongs the kingdom of heaven. finally i say may you rest in peace Belesha and may God comfort You Abba and the whole family
Amen Abebe from
Aldie, VA October 31, 2023 at
7:35 pm
She would always call me ቁጭቁጭ because one day when I was still a baby it was her first time leaving me at home with my grandma to go to work and all I did was talk and talk and talk and I wouldn’t stop. So she started to call me ቁጭቁጭ. I still remember, two years ago she got really sick and told us she had cancer. She had two surgerys that year. After she got better around December or November 2022 she started to exercise a lot. Then, she stopped because they realized she had a lot of pain in her leg. Then, it started to get to her arm. She had several doctors appointments and they realized that her cancer was coming back. In May she went to the hospital for around a month. When she came back she was a bit better and stayed home for a while but after that she started going back and forth from the hospital. This month she went to the hospital very very sick. I still have the memory. I was sleeping on the floor with my dad because it was fasting season and in the middle of the night he got a call and they told him to rush to the hospital. I spent the rest of the day worrying if she passed away. It is much better than seeing her suffer and be in pain. Now we know she is happy and with God. Thank you.
Yodit Ayalew
from
Aldie October 31, 2023 at
7:04 pm
I struggle to find the words to express the depth of sorrow and emptiness I feel. It seems like no words can truly capture the profound impact you had on my life and the magnitude of the grief that still lingers within me.
I have known you for almost two decades now. However, what has permanently moved me to my core is your constant love for your children. A specific conversation I had with you in your last days rings in my head every day. It is a testament to the kind of person you were—warm, loving, and devoted.
Watching your family's determination and resilience, I can only imagine that their faith and memories of you help them during the most trying times. And undoubtedly, if it weren't for God, such sorrow would have left all of us devastated!
Belshaye, your absence left a void no one would ever fill; however, it has taught me to cherish every relationship, moment, and fleeting opportunity life presents. Your presence in my life served as a reminder to cherish the present, to be in the moment, and to show unconditional love. Memories of our time together often flood my mind, and it's painful to know those moments won't come again. But amidst the pain, I'm grateful for having known you and for having shared laughter, tears, and countless unforgettable memories.
Although I miss you terribly, I appreciate and cherish our time together. Rest well, dear friend. Your memory will forever be eternal.