20-04-2021
Of all birthday observations, a sibling’s birthday is unique. Our brother or sister has been with us long before any BFFs, BFs, GFs, partners or spouses appear.
When I was younger, I saw my siblings through my parents’ eyes. Their disappointments or happiness in my brothers became mine.
Aging helps me to individuate, separate and differentiate, so that these days if I have any opinions or views on anyone, they are strictly mine. And as they’re ONLY my views from a limited mind, there’s no need to hold on to them so tightly.
Because my brother was not academically inclined, his childhood fascination with cars and all things mechanical & electronic were seen as purposeless and a waste of time.
Fortunately, cars have always been his first true love, so his dream of caring for cars in a workshop which he can be proud of didn’t die.
About 10 years ago, I bought a Ganesha figurine made of resin from the Tribuhavan Airport in Nepal.
It was love at first sight for my car mechanic brother when I placed the pot bellied elephant deity in his palm.
6 months after that, my brother would accompany me to carry medicines to street animals in Nepal. He also brought along his resin Ganesha on our trip to give thanks.
We stayed at Hotel Harati in Kathmandu where he met Ganesha in bronze, and Park Village in Budanilkhanta where we stopped to say hello to Ganesha in clay each morning.
Today this little brother who needed me to take him to Jurong Bird Park for a primary school art contest is now in his late 40s.
And on his birthday today, I wish him good health and peace to keep cars safe on the road.
May his reverence for Ganesha also make him wise and keep him grounded, even as he deals with speed & energy everyday. 🙏🌈🐾
Lisa Ong 