Twenty Years Ago, Yesterday And Today
Yesterday, 20 years ago, was my 17th birthday. A Saturday that I remember rather well. Maybe even best of all my birthdays. There was, in the early afternoon, some of the family over in the house, and maybe even a friend or two. Actually, it was not really special, because probably we had already celebrated it on the Friday night before. You know how that goes at this age: you're in a bar with friends, clock strikes 12 and there is another reason to have more fun. Anyway, back to that Saturday. The phone rings, a fixed line as mobile phones were still heavier than an elephant and mainly used by drugs dealers, and since it was my birthday, I pick it up. A friend, obviously calling me to congratulate me. Nice, but there was something in his voice. Then he aplogized: he had something to say, even if it was my birthday. The father of one of our friends, part of our group, had died that morning. The worst thinkable birthday gift you can get maybe, but, it was obviously not about me. The guy whose father died, was 2 years younger than I, and it is totally horrible if you lose your dad at that age. I cannot imagine the feeling. And since he was my friend, the birthday fun was over. Not that I cared very much for my birthday anyway, but this was it: the brithday absolutely had no significance anymore. Who cares about a cake and presents when a friend just lost his father. So, wherever you are Jan, we lost contact along the way, but I still remember that day. Just hope we were there for you then.
And then, the next day, 20 years ago today, everything turned around. It was one of the greatest days in modern history. The unthinkable, which was at that time actually to be expected, happened. Nelson Mandela was released from prison. I can vividly remember being glued to the tv, watching the gates open and Mr Mandela walking out, iconic fist in the air. History in the making. Afterwards, he proved to be a truly great man. With these events happening, who cares any longer for their birthday? Sure, I like a bit of attention, and I like to get gifts, but sometimes, I think back to that weekend 20 years ago. And then I realize there are quite a few things that just matter more. And I am glad to have witnessed this one, even if it was far away behind a tv set.
So, if you think of giving me a (belated) birthday present: thank you, but don't. Bring some flowers to the final resting place of a lost loved one, or donate some money to a charity. For instance the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
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