A Second Chance

I am just about to leave the Kelvingrove Park when I hear one of my favorite childhood rhymes, 

“Row row row your boat gently down the stream, Merrily Merrily Merrily Life is but a dream”

I sit next to this singing old man, His name is James. And this is not the first time I have seen James at the park, so I thought I’ll have a chat. I tell him how I used to love that song as a kid. James smiles as he begins his story.

We all wish we can go back to those days where we kept rowing with no worries on our shoulders. We were taught that life is a dream but still to keep rowing. And I did exactly as it said. And suddenly I wake up one morning and life is not a dream anymore. And now I think, if only I had a second chance to re write that poem. When I was sixteen I met this beautiful girl right here in this bench I now sit, I came every evening just to see her. Oh that smile…. It brightens up my life I thought. And I sat here many days thinking maybe she’s the one… Maybe she’s the one who I will one day walk down the aisle with in another 10 years… And there came the dreams rushing down my heart. And many are the days where I sat here dreaming but never stepped out of my boat to tell her. And one sudden day she was gone and I never saw her again.

I can go on, but I don’t want you sitting here young lady, its better you get home before it’s too dark. Always remember, to grab every opportunity that comes your way. I missed more than just one in my life. And you don’t want to look back like me and think of all the opportunities you missed. I tell myself, I should have stepped out of my boat. I should have stepped out of my comfort zone. Now I just row my boat gently and life was but a dream to me….

Only if I had a second chance, sighs Jame….

Serena Fernando (aka Tina)