What a wonderful world

I promised you, dear Reader, to conclude my writing on Salalah this week. But something happened, a once-in-a-lifetime event that may never occur again, at least in my lifetime. It took place on Sunday last, when Veteran Lines feted and felicitated Mrs Barbara Oliver on reaching her 100th birthday. Fittingly, the celebration was held in the premises of St Stephen’s Church here in Pallavaram, with family and guests of all ages happy to be a part of such a momentous occasion. Making the day special for Aunt Barbara was her brother Brian from Down Under and relatives form different parts of the world.

Aunt Barbara certainly did not look her age. She sported silver-grey hair and a charming, toothy smile that was captivating. She did not need glasses to read the words in the Hymnal. Her calmness and composure were very visible, as she experienced and enjoyed being the centre of attraction. Her warmth and grace made everyone want to be photographed with her, for it is not very often that we come face to face with such elegance and experience.

Aunt Barbara remembers, very vividly, her earlier days. She served as a nurse in the Auxiliary Nursing Service for about 3 years during World War II and was posted in places like Naushera (near Rawalpindi), Barrackpore (near Calcutta) and Roorkee (near Dehradun). And up to the time when I received this information, I was under the (wrong) impression that my Daddy was the only resident of Veteran Lines to see action during what I call “Hitler’s War”.

One other veteran of the Lines is the St Stephen’s Church, here in Pallavaram. It was opened for worship in 1935 and that means Aunt Barbara precedes even this monument. The Church is renowned for its family-driven, service-oriented, all-inclusive, character, along with the unique features of simplicity and tradition. That is why it was so becoming that her 100th birthday was celebrated in the Church.

May the Almighty bless Aunt Barbara with continued good health and strength, and may she continue to be the epitome of simple living and high thinking. She truly exemplifies the words of the poet who proclaimed:

Grow old along with me,

The best is yet to be.