RingChen

(…who inspired me to write this post)

My life began two decades & eight years back when I had the privilege of sharing my childhood with some wonderful people whom I can still count as my friends. Although its been decades since we last met, we share a nostalgic bond that goes back in time to frilly skirts and birthday parties filled with presents and good times.

My parents had about a dozen neighbours who in turn had at least two kids so we were a huge group of noisy/bratty/sweet/angelic/strange kids of every colour, shape and size. We girls used to stick together, along with our kid brother/sister in tow and head out to play marbles, chasing each other for no apparent reason, show off newly bought stuff - I once threw Jaya’s brand new eraser down the drain because I was so jealous!!! Poor thing cried like anything - I still feel guilty about it even now…

We were more than just neighbours forced to live next door to each other… we were like a part of a huge extended family that celebrated every festival with one another. I especially remember the wonderful Diwali times when we used to go mad bursting crackers and fireworks. The explosions that went off outside our homes made it sound as though a real war was literally going on. Christmas time used to bring in carol singers braving the cold winter night and singing beautiful hymns too.

I remember the sunny winter days where we used to gather around and have a picnic right in the front yard or sit on the long steps that led to a kid called Ubica’s house and eat oranges! Quite a unique name… wonder what it meant… We also used to hold dance shows where we showcased some of our best dancers in the neighbourhood. With me & another girl as the choreographers. I must say I have no idea what made me actually do all that….

We spent so much time of our childhood playing happily with one another that we didnt realize when it was that we grew up and by that time, we were already 16 and shifted base to all parts of the state/country. Its only now, after three whole decades do I realize what a wonderful childhood we had and what beautiful friendships we made during those precious years.

If only I could give my children (as and when, people… read on) some kind of childhood like that, I think I would have had half my job as a parent WELL DONE. To all my friends from those good old days…. thanks for making the first one and half decades of my life memorable.

If I had a chance to go back in time, I wouldnt change even one thing… except perhaps relive it happily all over again. And also not chuck Jaya’s new eraser down the drain