Rituals

Things that we do

Actions and the activities that we partake in habitually, 

Day after day, year after year, 

some that we don't even know why, 

The get-togethers, the birthdays, anniversaries, religious days, cultural days, dates in our social calendar, 

These are the rituals, that we hang our ceremonies on, things which we want to do, things which we enjoy, the colours, the food, the jokes, the songs, 

as these are the threads of our social, cultural, religious frameworks, which give us the structures, which tell us what we need to do, and when, and how!

They goad us into action, force us into celebration.

When we don't feel like doing anything on a birthday, feeling low and lonely, and useless, the chime of "happy birthday" coming from different avenues, jiggles us to life, the card, the cake, the party, and we feel wanted, loved, and special on our special day!

When someone dies, the space they vacate is taken by these rituals, these activities, which bring some normalcy yes, that is what is to be done, something, someone takes control of those things, and the time passes. 

The rituals give guidance, create our routines when we are lost!

And then sometimes, these structures just remain naked, their branches, stretching out like bare arms and fingers, begging for some ornaments, asking for someone to cover them, and their shame with some vestments of remembrance, with tartans of any ceremonies

forgotten, unwanted, getting old, they remain un-celebrated, calling for those who forgot them, who moved away, leaving their alter bare and empty!

Our culture lives in these rituals, and our relationships too, yes, we can grow up, and grow out of these rituals, but we pay a price for this growth, we lose a part of us!