SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS
“If I had a day that
I could give you,
I’d give to you a day
just like today;
if I had a song that
I could sing for you,
I’d sing a song to
make you feel this way.”
From the song ‘Sunshine
on My Shoulders’ by John Denver
As
I am writing this Post, I can hear the beautiful Christmas songs from my friend
Lancy’s windows. He lives just above our flat… and, Christmas, at their place,
begins as December begins. My heart smiles and sings, “Honey, that’s how it
should be” …
Christmas has
already come… This day… with this morning’s sunshine…
This morning, my
younger brother, Vivek, shared this touching video…
The message is
the same… “Honey, Christmas has come… Feel the sunshine on your shoulders.”
And, there was,
also, this early-morning message from my sister-in-law, Merlyn (My elder
brother Franklin’s wife), sharing the news about the demise of her uncle, Mr.
Willam (Willie) Castelino…
“My uncle passed
away yesterday in Kent; some 40 days short of his 105th birthday. I
had attended his 100th birthday. My brother Ivor and his wife Linet
were to leave to UK on 12th December for the 105th
birthday celebration. But, God’s plans are different.”
My instant reply
was this:
“Dear Merlyn,
uncle lived a remarkable life. So many generations have come and gone during
these 105 eventful years. His soul undoubtedly rests in peace. Please accept
our deepest condolences.”
In fact, Mr.
Willie Castelino was like a grand uncle for Merlyn. But, even Merlyn’s children, nephews
and nieces - all of them call him ‘Uncle’…
After watching
the video shared by my brother, Vivek, I had replied to him:
“Too good, too touching,
dear Viva… Remembered Mai.”
Mai
is our own mother, Celine D’Cunha. She lives in our hometown, Mangalore. This
July, she completed her 88 years. For last two years, her life has been restricted
to her bed, wheelchair and the dining table. But, even this little movement has
been possible only because of the exceptional love, care, patience and
commitment shown by Franklin and Merlyn. Our mother doesn’t remember anyone or
anything… She needs to be fed… A morsel of food and a sip of water take ‘eternity’!
One who does such kind of care, knows why I have used the term ‘eternity’…
Our mother lived
all her life just ‘giving’… Her life has been a life of extra-ordinary patience,
love, care and commitment. Thus, when we see how Franklin and Merlyn are
reciprocating it with similar love, care, patience and commitment to Mai… we can
unmistakably see how what had gone around is coming around…
I hadn’t met Merlyn’s 'grand uncle', Willie. But, I can imagine how well he must’ve lived those 105 years. Unlike our mother, he was quite active, alert and agile… He must’ve been a grateful and optimistic soul… He must’ve not kept any regrets, complaints, resentments, and guilts as he lived those long innings… Above all, he must’ve never given up his childlike wonder about life… that priceless sunshine on his shoulders…
Happy B'day and Merry Christmas
in advance, dear uncle… We will remember you when we see the Christmas Star…
Love from Mai,
too…
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic’s: 1. Pixabay 2. Castelino Family
Videos: 1. Cheverlot 2. John Denver/alexandre gianola
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