Reminiscing – by Charmaine Candappa
I used to have a difficult time with my birthday.
As a child, I found birthdays full of fun and excitement. During my childhood and growing up years, my neighbor and childhood friend Rai who is the same age as me, celebrates her birthday in May, and mine in July. Rai always had a bunch of kids, come over on her birthday each year where there was fun and games. Musical chairs were the highlight of the early evening.
There were prizes to be won, a doll, a box of candy, and if we were lucky, an Enid Blyton’s story book. As the youngest of six in my family. I was an uncomfortable child growing up, with four brothers, and a sister ten years older than me. Also I was happy to have an outgoing friend as my neighbor who pulled me around her world. My friend Rai had numerous dolls and play things, tea sets, snakes and ladders, and “ludo” board games, and many other exciting stuff, while I retreated into my own imaginary world with hardly any of the playthings she possessed. On my birthdays my loving father would bring home a soft sponge butter cake, and yummy green ice cream in a huge Thermos to celebrate my birthday, which dad did for my siblings as well. Time moved swiftly, and in those passing years, huge adolescent mistakes were made, tears shed, yet recovery came quickly with the exuberance of being young.
I have reached another milestone, gulping, at the reality of aging, yet thankful to God, for His love and sustenance of life and that of a caring soulmate. Even though I am weighed down by life’s pressing struggles and stresses, I seek to move on to meaningful and healing pursuits. A week ago, I woke up to the ringing sound of the telephone on the morning of my birthday with gratitude to God, for good friends who remember us both year after year on our closely linked birthdays. Last morning I took my walk on the trail. I was grateful for my legs, my heart, my lungs.
I was grateful that I could see the brightness of the summer sky, that I could hear the wind rustling through leaves, and the chirping of birds. I saw a solitary butterfly flutter its bright wings in the morning sun. I feed my soul, by reading God’s word, and each day’s inspirational message. The outpouring of birthday wishes, cards and calls, was both touching and amusing. A childhood friend and his dear wife singing on video, warmed our hearts and made us smile. When we leave this earth, we leave a trail of footprints. Where we have been and where we go is a gift from our Maker.
His promise of His Home in Heaven is for us who believe in Him. I thought a lot about this birthday and felt empowered by choices I’m making at this stage of my life. I choose to speak less, yet speak up for those who don’t have a voice to express their thoughts, and their feelings. I want to visit the lonely folk, who might need my help and encouragement.
I choose gratitude over guilt, and forgiveness over blame. I hope my time on this earth will be one of effort and growth. I have certainly made my share of mistakes. I have a library full of regrets, but I try to learn from them. No matter how old we get, our time on Earth is short. I have made a pledge to myself, to embrace every moment and cherish each hour for the precious gift of life. It’s a good lesson for how to live life in peace acceptance and harmony.
Charmaine Candappa
