Life by the beach

I was in Sabah a few months back, when I saw the rectangular bamboo placemats. Personally, I think it was unique. A creative ensemble by an unknown individual, whose original goal was probably making money out of a minimal pile of raw materials. A table ornament that could have easily been bought for several Ringgit from a sheltered workshop. In the end, the price scaled to several tens of dollars at the tourist market. I would have agreed to the market price even if I bought it directly from the crafter, my entire appreciation to the fine workmanship. Not that I have a table that needed a decorative item yet, I just liked it. To cut the story even shorter, the bamboo placemats stayed in my car for quite a while, until yesterday.

After several SMS and just a few minutes of planning, us friends finally met for a short afternoon tea... a gathering only held at least once a year (as our birthday could only fall on 1 out of 365.242199 days). I remembered that December calls for a special birthday gift but time had not been kind or was it me, unjustly spending time? All work and no time to think about a birthday gift. The placemats saved my day... it finally found a home (If it was a human, I probably saved it from dying of old age, dehydration and loneliness in the car).

There will always be that time when you bought something that you wanted or loved but not need and yet you bought it anyway. Sometimes you keep it for months under the bed, in the cabinet, storeroom, car boot... or somewhere safe. Keeping it standing by, just in case.

Can this theory be applied to friendship as well?

Happy birthday, my dearest friend...
May everyday be special,
make every second matters
and enjoy every moment of it.