Shanthi's 50th Birthday Toast!

Shanthi's 50th!- 20th August 2016

Uncle called me a few days back and asked me if I would  propose a toast to Shanthi at her 50^th Birthday surprise party! And I asked, ’Uncle are you sure, there must be someone else who can do it! Well you know the answer to that, here I am standing  in front of you doing what he asked me to do!

Uncle thank you for this privilege.

Shanthi you are celebrating 50 glorious years of your life- this is a momentous, golden moment for you. Just pause and drink it all in. This milestone moment has come upon you graciously. Age is only a number they say, but for you, it’s a golden moment, a golden Birthday and we are all here to celebrate this great milestone in your life with you!.

Shanthi as a person you are bigger than life itself. I wonder if you remember your life as a toddler? My earliest memory of you, my dearest cousin is when you as a toddler would  come after school in a van to our home in Albert Cres. You looked just like a doll!

Shanthi, I really want to ask you, can you, on your fittieth birthday, say that you have got over your phobia of Elephants and rhinocerous’s??? Have you also stopped protesting loudly and crying? Ok if you don’t rememer,let me tell you all a little story.

 This happened when my family would come on a Sunday morning to your parent’s  home in  Ransivi Ln . This must hv been in 1968/70. At that time you would not say much and you were a very sensitive child and Sidney, my brother had found a way to taunt you.(are you laughing now Shanthi,I’m sure you recall this)! There was a book on wild animals and Sid used to take it with him wherever he went. He found out that you didnt like looking at it. So he would chase you around trying to show you a pic of an elephant/rhinocerous. And Shanthi, you would end up screaming and in tears! And then I your big sister would step in and try to stop him from scaring you, but the event would be repeated and you would be by now bawling. And then when Aunty Stella’s head pop’s out of the kitchen, with that look, there was silence!

 I think Shanthi, you are still as sensitive as you were when you were 4 years old.

All the challenges that life threw at you hasn’t changed you. I admire you for that.

 You have remained a spritely, vivacious girl and a person full of beans!

You are still that person who loved to chat and tell stories about school and even boarding life.

I used to wait for you to come on the weekends and school holidays. And during those times, as young as you were, you were blessed with great looks and knew how to carry yourself. (I can picture you, walking down the lane with me, empty orange barley bottle and cash in hand going to Torrington café)!

You were a natural model!

Seeing you, someone in my neighbourhood remarked, look after that little girl, she is gonna be a beauty.

You are a beauty inside out! Much more from within. You have a generous and kind heart and endless energy to go with it

Until someone of course says stop! Now  rest!

When uncle was abroad, she was Aunty Stella’s right hand, she helped out as a dutiful daughter would do and was a great sister to her younger siblings! Of course there was a lot of mischief the boys would get into but she never squealed on them but warned them that she would if they wouldn’t listen to her!

She knew how to take hold of her circumstances and live.

I discovered that she had some hidden talent, It was that she had culinary skills. She could turn out a great chicken dish with a lot of tasty gravy! Im sure most of you who have had the opportunity of experiencing her hospitality, would agree.

As a teenager she accompanied me to Youth for Christ meetings at teen club and camp! She was loved and admired by all who met her. Shanthi, Noel and Faith as well, send their wishes to you on this special day.

 I remember times when we would sit down and pray together? Shanthi I have a question for you? You can answer me later. Did you ask Jesus to come into your life about this time?

I have seen your faith grow and flourish. As you sit there, you are living proof of trust in God -that God , will make a way for you in your  life.

There are many golden moments I’m sure you will always want to talk about forever! I just want to remind you of some of those momentous occasions!

From about 2002—God has indeed blessed you with much more than you have ever asked Him for.

I was told, that Rammie Vive walked into your work-place and took one look at you and went berserk.

All Rammie could think of was…

Hey! , that’s my girl…where has she been all of my life! There was no more stopping the blessings from there on! Shanthi became the centre of his attention and life!

Shanthi but I do have another question for you!! You met your future mother in law- before your husband Rammie, right? YES!!!!

In Mrs Vasanthi Vive, Shanthi found a friend- Vasanthi as she would have us call her became a fast friend, much more than a Mother in law.

Then there was your fairy tale wedding to Rammie.

Through Rammie came another great miracle. Shanthi your life changed forever, isn’t it? That Little bundle Luca  now stands as a tall boy of 13yrs.

Although Shanthi lived in the UK thereafter, she never was in short of help or company as she acquired a whole extended family - in laws and nephews and niece.

For your Dad and mum and brother’s and sis in laws, they couldn’t have been happier for you.  All your family, nephews and all your other relatives and friends who have stood with you in the various stages of your life also were thrilled for you.

In these last fifty glorious years of your life, you have woven your life into a beautiful tapestry of colour and design with all your simple life goals and achievements and accolades which highlights your generosity and kindness.

This is indeed a life to celebrate so let’s stand and raise our glasses to wish Shanthi a great and full life in the years ahead just as full as it has been!

Cheers!