St Michael the Archangel

 I have posted something similar some time ago, so if it rings a bell, stop reading and go about your business.

If you have nothing interesting to do - keep reading .

This morning, I woke a little later than normal. You see , it's a holiday and we have a long weekend, so am making the best of it. 

 I am usually up and about by around 4.45 am - having tea, reading the news papers, looking at my mail  to see if I have inherited a fortune from some unknown relative , checking Facebook and wishing people for their birthdays, then finally opening WhatsApp- not necessarily in that order. 

And there it was. A close friend wishing me a Happy Feast day. Thanks FM and MM.

At first I did a double take but then realized  that today is the feast of St Michael the archangel. 

So hear I was- smiling - Happy Feast day to me and all that ! Yippee. 

Almost like Father's day - hardly anyone remembers, till you remind them. 

Quite unlike Mother' s day which is celebrated with flowers, gifts and dinners twice or thrice a year ! 

Anyway, back to my Feast day.

Archangels are leaders so I got that right . 

Meanwhile , am thinking of the other angelic qualities I possess. 

Now please don't start sending me messages about how good I am - I already know that - okay!

But on to something different. 

I probably have done a similar post but I can't seem to trace it. Old age and all.

As a young boy I was a parishioner of St Patrick's Church in Allahabad- India.

For the purists , it's now Pryagraj. 

The parish priest was Fr Germain. Old residents would probably remember him.

He was a good human being and the youth of the parish gravitated towards him, as he was young at heart- like me now!

As a young teen - or probably a preteen, I observed that he had a comfortable residence , rode a scooter , and had a fridge- all luxuries back in the day. There was also a cook and a cleaning lady. 

I was a timid young boy with no idea as to what I would do in the future. I also knew that there was no ' family inheritance ' to look forward to.

So I began fancying myself becoming a priest. 

I fathomed that it was an easy job. I would be assured of food , accommodation , clothing and money. To top it all, everyone would call me ' Father ' . I didn't exactly fancy studying. 

For two or three years I toyed with this lovely  idea. 

I , with a few friends , spent a lot of time  helping out in church, serving at Mass, doing petty chores, attending all services etc. I was a good little Christian boy. 

At home, I also acted out being a priest,  and doused my cousins by sprinkling them with  plenty of tap water ! There were also the imaginary confessions and I often fantisized about people telling me their sins!

It was  a lot of fun. 

At church we were in the limelight- had a free run of the mango and guava trees , were occasionally given ten rupees to have a Dosa and were permitted to hang around in church at will. And there were girls ! 

Then came the teenage years and with that  came  innumerable distractions ,  and music, and my band,  and  parties and  without much thought, the vision for my future changed almost overnight .

So although I didn't end up wearing a cassock and being called father I ended up as a teacher being called Sir.

So - today is my Feast day, and I will make sure to say a silent prayer to St Michael the archangel , to bless me and all my lovely friends .