Random Musings 😏, Part-14
Soul Letter #46
Hello👋 folks, Shubham here.
I am back with another edition of Random Musings.
When Cake Cutting Was the Ultimate Flex
Last week, I came across an old photo where I am cutting a cake along with my late grandpa.
Since I am the one cutting the cake, I am assuming it’s my birthday. Judging by the photo, I look genuinely happy probably because having a cake back then meant a big thing.
However, birthdays aren’t exciting anymore (neither mine nor others) ☹
This got me thinking what has changed?
The most obvious answer is I have grown up. The side effect of growing up, you start making sense of every inch of your life.
Singing Happy Birthday feels equally awkward as listening to it, who is supposed to get the first piece of cake, who all are eligible to wear birthday caps, is giving gifts mandatory, the list goes on.
Adding to that birthdays have changed considerably.
Cake cutting at midnight is the norm now. A single cake won’t suffice. People buy multiple cakes with different designs and flavors. (irrespective of the fact that a big chunk of it will be wasted)
We all are dependant on social media to remember the big date of our loved ones.
And how could you miss out on the going wild part?
Your birthday wouldn’t be validated by social media if you aren’t posting stories of funky dance moves at a pub or drinking like Vikings with your buddies.
The cake-cutting ritual has been overshadowed by other pompous stuff.
There is pressure to pull off perfect birthdays. It has lost that innocent touch (for me at least).
Back then for all our birthdays, we had an identical bland rectangular pineapple cake and it was awesome.
Bookshelf 📚
I completed The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel recently.
It is a world war fiction inspired by a true story.
We all are fortunate to be born after the world wars but are curious to learn about things that took place back then. Therefore these books are appealing.
Our lead protagonist Eva left awestruck when she stumbles upon a photograph in a magazine lying nearby. In the photo is a book-The Book of Lost Names which has been hidden for sixty-five years.
The book is the gateway to her old life which she kept concealed for so long. But now it’s time to unveil her chaotic past and accept the belligerent happenings she endured.
Maybe the book has the answer to the question which has been bugging her entire life.
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions.
It is extremely well written, I loved it.
Although there are several lines that struck me, the most prominent one was,
Mostly, though, the survivors returned to find that everyone they loved had perished and that their reward for enduring hell was a renewed sense of loss and despair.
The above line is written with respect to the concentration camp survivors. They lived through hell in the flimsy hope of seeing their loved ones once again someday.
Those who survived must have thought the hardest part of the haggling is over. They can slip back to their old lives, regain a bit of sanity.
However, there is no trace of their old lives. They are part of a free country suffused with strangers.
Seeing their family was the only aspiration that allowed them to keep death at bay.
But what’s there to live for anymore?
Yikes! I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Classified Living Eulogy
"Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude."
Fact check, the above quote wasn’t spoken by Anne Frank.
Still, the lines are difficult to digest because they hit the right chords.
Recently I read a peculiar article where a person has started doing living eulogies for his loved ones. He lost a few of them during Covid to whom he couldn’t say a final goodbye. To rectify his mistake he is writing heartfelt messages to people now while they are still alive.
“But we are always optimists when it comes to time, we think there will be time to do things with other people. And time to say things to them.” - A Man Called Ove
I too wanted to try it out but on second thought some people might get offended.
Therefore I have decided you guys can write a living eulogy for me and send it on any platform we are connected.
In return, I will write one for you.
Life’s unpredictable. It’s better that I read them now because I am not sure how’s email service up there.
A living eulogy is an excellent way to show gratitude and love towards someone who has made a lasting impact on your life.
All this must be done under a confidentiality pact according to which the eulogies aren’t allowed to be shared in public (let’s not ruin it, okay!)
Readers who don't know me personally can try to do this with their loved ones and share their experiences. I would love to know 😅
Hope you enjoyed this edition.
Signing off for today :) Until next time, Houdoe! 🙋♂️
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