Selamat Hari Raya

The office is winding down work in preparation of the long holidays. I see the expectant faces everywhere, the bags of cookies under the tables, the stacks of greeting cards. From the ceiling hang strings of decorative lights. Everyone is wishing each other with best wishes, everyone asking about travel plans.
Yes, its that time of year when everyone goes off for the long rush home for the holidays. The fasting month is almost over, and hari raya is almost here.
After more than two weeks of rushing work and running after missed deadlines, late nights and early mornings, things have suddenly slowed for this festive celebration. Its time to breathe again.
as the lull begins at the office, I suddenly feel drained. drained because i suddenly have the time now to set aside the work and appreciate the growing pile of papers crying for attention. I now can afford to sift thru more paperwork, especially those that had to be cast aside in favor of the urgent ones, and, in sifting thru find that these, too, are beginning to become urgent. I feel drained to know that there is more to come, despite the mental tiredness, there are things that need to be done.
All that being said, i am somewhat glad that this moment has come to allow me to stop a while to be able to look around me, to smile, to say hello and to wish everyone a wonderful festive break.
Regardless of race, religion, color and creed, let us all enjoy this season with our loved ones, may we journey safe; may we make the most of the little time we have to be with the ones we love, to forgive those whom we may have wronged, and, most importantly to return to each other to face the new season with a new resolve.
To all, i seek your forgiveness in whatever i may have done, and wish you all a safe and happy holidays.
Selamat Hari Raya.