Of Endings That Are Beginnings

 

It was New Year’s Eve.

Nine-year old Ved was going to celebrate 31^st December at his friend’s house. Most of the colony’s kids were going to be there. There were supposed to be fireworks, music, dance and food for everyone.

Ideally, Ved should have been excited. The party promised to be fancy and hip.

But as he sat on the porch of his house, he couldn’t help but feel melancholic. Already he could hear music drifting from one of the villas in the colony. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, welcoming the new year.

Then why wasn’t he excited?!

“That is a face doing some serious thinking.” His grandfather, whom he referred to as Thatha, said as he came out onto the porch and sat on one of the wicker chairs kept there. The air was chilly. He offered a cup of hot cocoa to Ved and leaned on the chair, sipping from his own cup. “What’s wrong?”

Ved sighed. “Thatha, another year is ending. I am going to a party tonight. It is supposed to make me happy. But all I feel is sadness for another year that has gone by. I feel like this every year. I mean, I am excited about the new year, but I also feel sad thinking about the year that has ended. Why is it so?”

His Thatha smiled, crow’s feet appearing at the edges of his eyes that shone with wisdom and compassion. “That’s because nothing reminds us about the swift passage of time like the ending of a whole year does. The days pass by swiftly and we barely notice them. But it is only when a whole year has ended that we realize how much time has already passed by.”

Ved sighed in relief. “I couldn’t have put it in better words. Thank you, Thatha, for understanding my turmoil, although I shouldn’t be surprised by now. This is something that you always do so easily.”

Thatha smiled and ran his hand over Ved’s head fondly. For a few minutes, they both sat in silence, sipping cocoa and relishing its warmth on an evening that was getting colder by the minute.

“So how do we deal with it?” Ved asked after a while. “How do we deal with the swift passage of time? How do we keep up with it?”

Thatha cleared his throat, which only meant one thing. He was going to quote someone. “All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time. Can you tell me where you have read this?”

Ved didn’t have to think twice. Thatha usually quoted from the last book that they both read. He eagerly said, “Five People You Meet In Heaven, Mitch Albom.”

Thatha and Ved had a habit of reading for half an hour every day. They both would sit beside each other and read the same book. Usually, Thatha recommended the book. While Ved didn’t always understand everything about the story, Thatha would explain to him in a way that was both easy and appealing.

“Yes.” Thatha said. “This is profound – all endings are really beginnings. When one chapter ends, another begins. Every ending is a promise of new opportunities. The passage of time is not in our hands. But with the end of every day, week, month or a year, we can let go of the same peacefully and move ahead with the hope that the coming future will be full of possibilities. Every ending is after all a chance for something new to begin.”

A cold breeze blew that moment, and while Ved shivered slightly, he also could feel the promise and anticipation of a whole new year ahead. Oh, the things he could do, and the possibilities that lay forth! He smiled as the last vestiges of his melancholy blew away with the breeze.

He was all set to face the new year with positivity and hope.  

Thatha and Ved sat in contented silence, the evening ripe with promise and their hearts full of excitement.