Every birthday in a sense
has been the same. Receiving calls from
loved ones, gifts from the close ones, and blessings from the elderly. I
thought why not make this b’day more purposeful and different by doing
something meaningful for others. Since the time Mom passed away I have always
been wanting to do some good deed for cancer patients but never found the
courage to face them. I thought it is
high time I let go of my inhibitions and at least do my bit, however miniscule
it might be. Though my initial desire was to meet cancer inflicted children and
spend time with them, it did not work out on the dates and time suitable for
both of us.
I then decided to contact
Make a Wish Foundation, an organization which fulfills the wishes of children
with life-threatening conditions. I told them about my desire to do something
fruitful on my b’day by fulfilling the wishes of as many children as possible
within a specified budget. The ever cheerful and helpful volunteers of Make a
Wish got to work and identified 7 children whose wishes could be fulfilled
within my budget. Their wishes comprised of owning a cycle, video games, remote
car, gift hamper of toys, cricket set, a
mini TV etc. Mundane things of everyday routine that we take for granted are a
luxury for them.
They were called along with
their parents to the office of Make A Wish on my b’day. They arranged for a
cake for me for my b’day. I cut the cake with all the children (unfortunately
one of them could not make it).
I then distributed the gift articles
to each of them, the cycles, video games, toys , cricket set.
In the end each
of them were told to dip their hand in
colored paint and endorse their handprint on a chart paper. This paper was then
given to me as a souvenir by Make A Wish.
I don’t think I have had a
more memorable b’day. To see the look of
pure unadulterated joy on the children’s faces when their wishes were getting
fulfilled was a delight. A day well spent. :)
