B’days are gateway to cherished memories

ay you receive from all your friends’ greetings from far and near, may you have close by your side, all those you hold most dear.” My son sent me loving wishes as my birthday month began on April 1. His wishes led to the unravelling of the film from its spool, which had been stored in the archives of my memory. I suddenly became a child again, reminiscing about the elation and excitement I had on my birthday, the hype and hoopla as I moved like a princess in my new frock, all laces and frills, wearing my birthday cap with pride as the cake was cut with my little friends chirping “Happy Birthday to you”. I adored being the centre of attention. Balloons were burst and passing the parcel played with fun, frolic and feasting. As an adolescent, the birthday parties became hot and happening, usually celebrated at the college café. I started associating my birthday with spring, long green robust stems opening to purple, red and orange blooms, with a hint of summer. Those were fantastic and romantic days with friends, I thought they would never end! I used to start saving pocket money months ahead of my birthday to throw a lavish treat to my friends. Birthday candles glowed, cards came my way, gifts were wrapped with care on my special day. While in hostel for higher studies, birthday parties were rung in at 12 wmidnight sharp, when the cake was cut, eaten less and smudged more on my face and followed by some wild dancing. Those joys were precious. Usually, the next morning, we were summoned by the hostel warden for breaking the rules and playing music all night. We stood innocently with our heads down as we controlled our chuckles and paid no heed to her warnings.

After marriage, birthdays meant a cheerful get together with friends at college, where I taught, greetings from students and a small get together in the evening with the extended family. As my son grew up, his creativity blossomed as he made birthday cards for me and later started writing poems with notes of gratitude. Even now, his much cherished poetry makes my birthdays special.

In my mellowing years, now I think birthdays come and birthdays go and with them comes the thought of all the happy memories that the passing years have brought. Memory opens the door, sweet nostalgia fills my mind and I suddenly realise how birthday celebrations gradually change in substance and style. Now I have loved ones around me and feel privileged to share moments with deprived people, listening to their moving tales. Making them smile fills me with contentment and happiness. I believe a birthday date is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update it with generous memories and moments of glee. I don’t mind getting older, it is a privilege denied to many.

Now I think a birthday is a gateway between old years and new, just an opening to the future, where we can get a wider view for it takes a lot of birthdays to make us wise and kind. Every birthday brings new epiphany. Age is sure to follow youth as day comes after night, as our steps grow slow and to God’s will we bow.

I feel blessed to have so many good things in life .True are the words of Abraham Lincoln: “And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years”

AGE IS SURE TO FOLLOW YOUTH AS DAY COMES AFTER NIGHT, AS OUR STEPS GROW SLOW