Sunday, June 24, 2007 What is in a birthday? By Marnellie C. Millanes Homelife
BIRTHDAYS at times sound such a selfish activity. It's a day when the celebrant demands pampering -- a throwback from childhood really when we are often told not to quarrel with someone who is celebrating his/her birthday.
Nonetheless, I love it when that special date comes. Not just for my own pleasure (read: self indulgence) but also because of the fact that most celebrants are usually nice when it's their day. I wish it is their birthday everyday! Waaahhhh!!
Birthday celebrators tend to start the day with a smile and calm, apparently not intent on ruining their day early. Some even goes to spa/salon for rejuvenating sessions. To those who could remember, a church visit is included in the itinerary. They would ask for forgiveness of sins and lay down the long list of birthday wishes. Sometimes they even complain on why some of their wishes the year before didn't come true. Oh well... as if God makes the decisions for them...
Then the party. Invited and uninvited guests arrive. Socialization begins and ends with some unfavorable remarks about the food, the venue, etc. although in these instances, most of the complaints are from gatecrashers. Haaay...
Once everyone leaves, you are left alone in your room, grinning while opening your gifts. You know that in few hours, your special day is over and it's back to reality the next day; back to the office where loads of paper works are on your table, after you were out one day to avail of your birthday leave. I bet you once wished that time would stop running after the gift-opening, or haven't you?
The clock stopping is just wishful thinking though you know you can't. The clock continues its tick-tocks every second. Take off the batteries may stop the clock, but not time.
But one thing good about that minute hand and second hand chasing each other around, it pushes people to discern wisely on what they will do with every given opportunity. It keeps people moving, at least.
Just imagine life without a clock. How will you meet someone in a particular time, if you do not have a clock or a watch? You would have to tell the other party that you will meet when the "sun sets" or when you hear the sound of a rooster. What if no one in the neighborhood owns a rooster? Or which rooster are we talking about?
According to the www.arcytech.org (from Google search), "the ancient people could tell time by looking at the sun as it crossed the sky. When the sun was directly overhead in the sky, it was the middle of the day, or noon. When the sun was close to the horizon, it was either early morning (sunrise) or early evening (sunset). Telling the time was not very accurate".
But, with the near death condition of our ozone layer now, who would dare to look at the sun? Or else, this method of telling time would lead to more people having skin cancers because of too much ultra violet exposure!
Thanks God for geniuses like Christian Huygens who developed the first practical clock (pendulum) around 1656 (from www.arcytech.org). Now, we could practically do our stuff with the clock that tells us how to assign tasks in our day and night.
Ironically, people do not get satisfied. Even with a helpful medium called clock exists, they still can't manage their 24-hours-a-day time allocation. They would still want more and sometimes blame the clock for running. As if it could understand. Poor (alarm) clock, usually shattered (after being thrown on the floor) after doing its job of "tikitikitak...tikitikitak..." to awaken its irritated and sleepyhead owner.
For me I am thankful that the clock keeps on running, because if it hadn't been, I wouldn't have turned more than a quarter of a century a few days ago. I thank God that I reached this age, alive and kicking, happy and satisfied with all the blessings He has given me. For the good health, a loving family and for the people who taught me so many things about life, love, hope, dreams and destiny.
A million thanks to my ever enduring mentor who introduced me to Dave Barry and whose words linger in my mind forever: that I can fly because like her, I am a Gemini! Hahahaha! And that the most important things happen where it hurts most (Until now, I still don't know where she finds the superpower to bear with everything I have been and will be. Thank you, maam! Lav ya!)
To the man who showed me that life and love can be great when it is shared with your destiny, and to our little angel who taught me to be compassionate and patient... I love you both and thank you for coming into my life.
Tick, tack, tick, tack... the clock is running. Since we can't stop it, why not just run with it? Happy Sunday everyone!!
