Diary of The Spiritual Princess ... Reminiscence of the past... Birthday Special

Diary of The Spiritual Princess ... Reminiscence of the past... Birthday Special 

Chapter 2 

Birthdays were equally a big and gala event for us, that's my brother and me. Not only just us for all of us cousins. Starting from July to October we would have none-stop parties and we all knew the dates and also would look forward to meeting and enjoying time with our cousins. 

Initial years it was mainly cousins and slowly we started to invite some friends too. But the quality time we spent and the kind of excitement our parents created for us to make us feel special is something that I still hold dear. I do the same for my children too and they also, of course, return the excitement with planning my birthday or trying to organise a party for me. 

One such sweetest memory which I have is when I was about 10 or 11 years old I was very upset about something that happened in school. I didn't want to go to school the next day and it was my birthday too. I told my father I don't want to go to school, he was very patient as he explained that it's not right to bunk school or hide from a teacher whom you are upset about further he explained to me the importance of  "Learn to go and Face the consequences no matter what" and this freezed my heart with warmth.  I had tears of fear dropping onto my palms as I sat listening to him. He said tomorrow is your birthday, aren't you taking chocolates to school. He called for one of the staff saying to go pick up chocolates and he got me to my room to see what I was going to wear to school and what I was going to wear in the evening for the party. I was not excited this time as I was upset but my father was trying to show the excitement.

He also said he would come to drop me to school the next day, as he tucked me into bed saying good night. I had a bad dream in the night and woke up in the morning not in the mood to get out of bed or go to school. My father walked into my room early in the morning with my brother and both started to sing Happy Birthday to you. The evening was full of laughter and games and overall a well-spent day with my parents making sure I had a wonderful birthday with no sadness or tears. 

Another important event for me was my 18th birthday and of course I can't forget my 16th birthday too. Both these my parents made a big deal about it and made me feel extra special. A big party was thrown as they called all their friends. I would love my birthdays in a way as I just loved all the attention and gifts that came to me. I would get so many gifts, and so many wishes thanks to my parents that weeks before I would start looking forward to the party. Especially on my 16th and 18th birthdays there was much done and all the preparations that it was truly magical and almost like I was sleeping and being whisked off to a fairytale story of my life. 

I would like to write about my 18th birthday as it was such a lovely party organised at The Oberoi. When all the guests arrived my father and mother at the time of cake cutting gifted me with a beautiful "Silver Key".  I had tears in my eyes as they gave me the silver key, saying that it gives me the key to my freedom. Everyone cheered and clapped and my parents had tears in their eyes as they gave me this key. I still have kept this beautiful gift, more than the gift it holds my parents love for me and their proud moments of their first child turning 18.  All the guests complimented me saying that I have turned into a fine young woman. I was happy and excited that I couldn't sleep that night. It was not about the gifts, it was not about what the guests said. It was about the amount my parents loved me and the trouble they had taken to express it to me. 

When my elder son turned 18, I wanted to do the same thing for him, I took a lot of trouble to make sure his birthday was very special and that he would cherish it. Till today, all my friends talk about the party that was given to celebrate his turning 18.  I have my younger son turning 18 soon, though it's covid time and I can't have such an amazing party. I will still make it a special and memorable one for him. It’s not about the money that needs to be spent. A simple party with the lowest budget can also give the same experience. I totally understand each one has their own reservations about birthdays and how to celebrate this. This talk is not to offend anyone but this is just my musing over my past and trying to create happy memories for my sons.When I sit to write all that is in my mind is the sweet memories of yesteryears. This truly makes me wonder, we often get into so many squabbles and arguments leading to disharmony. At the end carrying the baggage of hurt and pain. By the end of it before you know we may know one of our loved ones may move on. Leaving no time for forgiveness or bid goodbye. 

This reality has struck hard for me, hence I cherish every relationship and I always look forward to letting go of any misunderstanding or pain, as for me carrying Lighter memories are always brightening.. The bitter ones leave Anger, Hatred, Jealousy and  a Nasty Taste in one's mouth and  takes one nowhere -Often told by my father. 

Before I end this chapter I can't end without speaking about how my parents would make sure the poor were fed on our birthdays. They would send food and sweets. This is again something I have picked up and I do the same for my sons. Though I know it sounds funny when I keep reporting the same thing but as this is journaling and my dairy I guess I can express my gratitude and thoughts a million times. The little things that they did for me, for the world they saw me as a Princess but for my parents, I was their princess and they did everything to make me feel Special, Loved and Pampered. Nothing in the world can match up to what they have given me. The beautiful experiences have become my holy book which I cherish and today I make sure my children have their birthdays equally special. 

To be continued.....Penned by The Spiritual Princess JayaPalashri