Now that wasn’t too bad: Ramazan went off in a jiffy, that too pleasantly. You know, the days of fasting are going to go towards the colder months every year now. We’re done with fasting in summers, at least for another decade, if not more, I believe. Enter Eid.

If someone is thinking that I don’t sound much excited, or that my mood isn’t quite celebratory, allow me to say that I’m not ‘that’ excited about Eid. I mean, sure, who doesn’t like getting days off from work? I especially enjoy when Eid falls in between the week — you know that sweet centre spot where you get a day off for all three days? No day is eaten up by the weekend, with us grumping, “What a waste.” I’m sure we’ve all felt the same way, or at least thought like that. Do you know why? Because the excitement is more about the days off, rather than the occasion.

Don’t you think Eid becomes the same as ‘birthdays’ as you grow up? You know how you used to get excited in your early years about ‘turning this many,’ while increasing the number of candles on your cake? And now sometimes your birthday comes by and you’re not planning anything around it; it’s just another day of the year for you, which is going to pass like any other day.

I know you act aloof every birthday, and you don’t feel like celebrating it ‘this’ year, but the minute the clock strikes 12, and you get those calls from certain people who’ve been consistent in wishing you every year, your mood lights up. Suddenly, it becomes a special day.

Many of us don’t have our loved ones any longer to celebrate it with, and the event somehow just becomes a reminder of their absence. But as life goes on, you must too.

I think it’s the same with the Eid day. Many of us don’t have our loved ones any longer to celebrate it with, and the event somehow just becomes a reminder of their absence. But as life goes on, you must too. If you choose to participate in the festivities, which are as simple as wearing crisp clothes for the morning prayers, you’ll feel that this is a special day, too. I mean, of course, you’re going to spend some of it sleeping, but then what is Eid without you catching up on your sleep?

What I’m trying to say is that an occasion might not feel special to us, and we may not be excited about it, but it’s upon us to make it special. Let’s not let it pass just like that. Make it count.

You know what’s the secret to making Eid special? You try to make it special for others. Isn’t that what Ramazan taught us too — empathy, compassion and patience? So, make every Eid count by doing little deeds of kindness for anyone that you have in your life — a close relative, a friend, or anyone else. That’s what life is about — making memories and making others happy.

Let the beauty within you shine bright. Go a little out of your way to touch someone’s heart. The least you can do is acknowledge the love and adoration that’s around you. Remember, it’s not the occasion that’s special; it is how you make an effort to make it special for those around you. That’s how it becomes special for you too.

The writer is an  ex-serviceman and a freelancer. He can be reached at shaafayzia@gmail.com