A "Wish Making" Ceremony

For the last 6 years, I have been privileged to be part of an annual ceremony that Hans’ Art teacher, who also happens to be my friend, does! It is loosely called a “Wish Making” ceremony. It is very simple. Each individual who has been invited to be part of the ceremony gets to light a candle and make a wish. Then, each individual gets to partake in a simple meal that is affordable by most anyone in the world. When the meal is done, people can leave and take their candles with them. Before a candle is lit, one must write her name on it. And yes, with that, let me also divulge that only women are invited to this ceremony!

And there is a little price attached to the invitation to this ceremony. If a wish comes true, then the lucky woman must host the ceremony for the women in her life.

After about 4 years, my friend wondered if my wishes were coming true?! I let her know that my wishes may never come true. She wondered why?! I told her that I would like everyone to be happy. She looked at me like I was crazy!! She then proceeded to enlighten me. She told me that a wish should be personal and achievable.

For some reason, I was trying to be a beauty pageant contestant and wish for world peace!

So, the last couple of times, I made my wishes a little bit more personal than before. I am waiting for them to come true.

Meanwhile, last month, I turned a year older and following was the best wish I received. It was from Sir B.

“All the best wishes and may another year of wisdom bring you maybe good fortunes!”

I loved it and responded, “The best part of your message is the ‘maybe’ part. Love your cautious optimism!”

Turns out it was “stupid autocorrect” and it was supposed to be “MANY good fortunes”!

Well, I had a good laugh. It was one of the best birthday gifts ever and it was a typo.

Wishes may or may not come true. When they do, it is like being a child again. When they don’t, it is like an opportunity to wish again. And we must exercise every such opportunity with a pinch of cautious optimism!