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Happy birthday to me

Jan 16, 2009 Features / Columnists

The Parrot cannot believe that a year has gone by so quickly; a year since its first squawk was published on January 13, 2008. Whoa, unbelievable! Where did the time go? Flew it did.
So, I have a birthday; my first. I would like to thank my Ma, Pa, Uncle Glenn, Uncle Adam, Mrs. Parrot…STOP! This is not a movie award ceremony; I am not the producer of “Slumdog Millionaire”. What am I getting into? It’s just a simple birthday, and with the weather as it is, it seems my only company for such an occasion will be Mrs. Parrot; another opportunity for younger Parrots to be hatched. That’s not something I want to think about; the hatching part that is.
Like every birthday for some people, candles, in this case one, will be stuck on a cake and the “birthday-boy”, me in this case, is expected to “blow” it out making a wish at the same time. By the way, where and how did this tradition originate? Blowing candles for a birthday! There are other things that can be blown. Not what you are thinking. Trumpets and horns crossed my mind.
That aside, and not wanting to reveal my wish to the public, I prefer to reflect on some aspects of 2008. However, I must thank Uncle Glenn for affording me the opportunity to squawk. I hope that the column would have in some way helped to provoke meaningful thoughts and would have contributed to the healthy exchanges of opinions.
2008 was not deficient in topics to be expounded. There was no reason to doubt it being as successful as its predecessor, 2007, which is regarded as one of those years in which our country’s image on the international scene soared to new heights. The Rio Group Summit, Super Eight matches for Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting are just a few of the events that propelled Guyana as an international destination. Guyanese rose to the challenges to ensure the success of these events and eagerly looked forward to Carifesta X.
The dawn of 2008 was greeted with renewed enthusiasm. This was shattered by the Lusignan massacre which was shortly followed by the onslaught in Bartica. Guyanese were subdued, but spirits were not broken. The country mourned and, over months, life gradually returned to normal. Carifesta X was a resounding success and many of those who were responsible for the brutal slaying of innocent lives in Lusignan and Bartica were killed or captured. Guyanese brimmed with confidence; confidence that saw increased spending for the holidays; confidence that greeted the dawn of 2009. Whilst the patience and tolerance of some are being tested by the current weather, they will once again emerge resilient as only Guyanese can do. This resilience is indescribable and has to be the trait that makes us unique.
So as I blow on the candle, I hope to blow away the inconvenience some face in the wake of the heavy rainfall and the misery those in the Gaza Strip are forced to endure. My birthday is indeed simple; a cake, a sumptuous meal and a movie. Mrs. Parrot wants to see “Slumdog Millionaire” again. Given that she willingly made all the preparations for the occasion, I will oblige. Cheers. You too Uncle Freddie; bottoms up.
Squawk! Squawk!

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