Loss and Light: Our Sacha Saying Goodbye

These words I wrote for Sacha’s service.

We spent 4 years every Xmas holiday before Covid traveling around NZ Sacha’s favorite time caravanning was when I would read out loud at bedtime, then we‘d all say ‘goodnight John-boy’ to each other.

Teaching Sacha the how-tos of sewing techniques and basic principles that she didn’t think she needed or wanted to know.

Learning how to drive Bruce’s work Van, Sacha got very good at reversing up our driveway and reminding us about the road rules nowadays!

While Sacha was away in India Bruce brought a new 4WD truck, he was so excited to teach Sacha how to drive it around the South Coast, over these last few days, he’s been taking Sacha’s friends and teaching them how to drive on the beach, so bittersweet.

On her 18th birthday, just after Xmas, we went test driving a manual Suzuki Jimny, Sacha was determined to get the vehicle she wanted first off, so was saving up for her perfect 4wd drive vehicle to take her friends around NZ.

Sacha was very efficient with dying my greys, cutting our hair, washing Natasha’s hair/head till it was squeaky clean, shaving bruces head, and de-hairing all the old man's hairs, she enjoyed inflicting pain on Bruce a bit too much.

We only just got her professional hairdressing scissor for Xmas, dryers, and all she would need, I wouldn’t let her cut my hair with them before she went to India encase she cut herself. 

We had her all set up ready to start her adult life as a professional hairdresser which she was a natural ready to go be and do.

Sacha was always busy, on her brief moments at home I could hold her here long enough just to check her over, do any work, and replenish her, the day she left for India I massaged her beautiful body, she loved it when I massaged her, but never often enough. 

On tour in India Sacha, unfortunately, experienced bullying and exclusion from her own team and leaders that should have behaved better and I hope moving forward with their life they do better.

Sacha continued to hold herself with the most upmost character of respect, kindness, and warmth to others which led her to meet and form strong bonds of friendship with the cadets from other countries on tour with her.

Sacha had a strong fun loving friendly attitude that shone through to all her official duties on tour and all those she met in India.

We, Bruce, Natasha & I were often told by people that came through to help us in India, how they met our Sacha and how she held herself so dignified so bright, and friendly with a lovely smile. 

Sacha is always the first to support and help others, she was a little bit ruff on her sister but in her truth, she was always there to help Natasha be her best in whatever she did.

And Natasha was and is always there alongside Sacha. 

It was Natasha who was there for Sacha as she decided it was her time, Natasha guided Sacha’s spirit from her body so she could transition on with our beloved friend Trish ready and waiting to guide her through.

Our version of Sacha is full of life, laughing singing dancing, 4-wheel driving, rallying, rafting, horse riding, ocean swims, jumping off cliffs into rivers, trying all the food stalls at markets, and churros! cooking, crafts, creating, and giving the most awesome hugs -: hug me back harder she’d say.

She spent a complete 8-week jewelry class making a necklace and chain for Natasha, the chain links literally had her blood sweat, and tears in them.

If we were still in bed when she woke in the morning she’d jump in the middle getting her cuddles, this was always much nicer than waking her for work, not the best morning person.

And coming home late at night she’d come in and see us laying on top of me sharing her day.

Then leaving the room for her own bed she’d take my pillow, tickle Bruce’s feet, shed the bedding, and switch the light on as she left the room with us yelling at her,

… all to get me out of bed just so I could tuck her into her own bed.

Our beautiful girl, sweet dreams Sacha.

27.12.2004 - 02.02.2023

Written by Vicki for Bruce, Vicki & Natasha at Sacha’s service.

This is the day the NZ High Commission India flew their flag at half mast for Sacha. Mark our host in the compound took Bruce and me to see the flag, this afternoon as usual for Delhi there was no wind. The flag was hanging limp. I ask Sacha to make the flag fly for us and on queue, a breeze began to build… here is Sacha flying the NZ flag in India!

Sacha Wallace Piper our beautiful gorgeous girl left this world suddenly while exploring India with the NZCF on 2nd Feb 23.

Sacha became gravely ill while away in India with the NZ cadet force, for the Indian independence celebrations Jan-Feb 2023, as part of an NZ contingent team with her fellow Navy, Air, and Army NZ cadets.

After many days in pain, Sacha was taken to the Indian forces base hospital in New Delhi, where with a CT scan and MRI they found she had experienced a brain aneurysm, Sacha's health deteriorated very quickly.

Bruce, Natasha, and I rushed our way to India where we were met by the NZ high commission and Indian defense force at the airport and taken straight to her ICU bedside.

For a day and a half, we were bedside as she made her way, we played her favorite music on Bruce’s phone placed it on her pillow, and called her closest friends and family on my phone for them to share their love and goodbyes.

When Sacha was ready to leave her body, my older daughter Natasha helped her spirit release from her bodysuit, and Trish, her other mother (close family friend) who passed away 3 years ago, came through Natasha to guide and take care of Sacha as she passed over.

The Indian base hospital in New Delhi's medical team was completely in tune with Sacha's body to care for her in a way that she still had control of when she left.

Dr. Kumar & medical team are the most gracious people that took the most dutiful and compassionate care of her with the most respect.

We are eternally grateful to, MFAT-NZ, NZ High Commission, NZDF and India Defense Force, India Foreign Affairs, Indian High Commission Wellington, family friend Michelle Kaufman-Walker travel broker, and our hosts at the NZ High Commission compound India Michelle and Mark who have taken us into their home looking after Natasha as their own. 

Sacha is now in the land and hearts of all here in India as one of their own with Bruce, Natasha, and me having been loved and cared for completely ❤️ as family.

Related Posts: