The value of an “old friendship” from school days is the best. Why? Because it is a pure and innocent childhood friendship. The reason why I am quite excited is because of the upcoming joint 60th birthday bash with my ex-classmates, for the very first time on August 3, 2019, at The Marriott’s in Singapore. We are all born in the “Year of The Pig” (the Chinese Lunar Year) and we will go back in time to the 60s!! As they say, “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!” It will be a time for recollection, a time to feel 16 instead of 60!!
Many of us girls from the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Victoria Street in Singapore, including some who are scattered all over the globe, will be coming together for this event. We have decided that it will be meaningful for us to have a joint birthday celebration/reunion together with the good IJ (Infant Jesus) sisters in Singapore. Sr Elizabeth (Principal) in her 90s has retired back in Ireland but she is with us in spirit. Bless her heart, here are her best wishes for all of us in Singapore.
Most of us, girls (yes, I always will think and refer to us as girls) have not met for decades as we were busy living our respective lives, raising children and running busy households, some with demanding careers or both. Now that we are either retired or mostly “empty nesters,” it is time to get ourselves re-connected and re-acquainted. Yes, no doubt we may not remember one another but what better way to re-acquaint ourselves with shared memories of those halcyon days in school when our only responsibility was to get good grades! We will reminiscence about those carefree days (as school girls), the various shenanigans that we were always up to and the trouble it brought us. The many teachers (sadly, some may have passed on) who had encouraged us to excel and the many sisters who were kind to us and had influenced us to become the women we are today.
We are eternally grateful to their love and dedication as educators, not only in academics but teaching us life lessons as well. I should say that we have lived up to our school motto – “Simple Dans ma Vertu Forte Dans Mon Devoir” (Simple in virtue, steadfast in Duty)
CHIJ TOWN CONVENT
The School Crest is one is shared by our schools all over the world.
In the centre of the Crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold.
The shield, surmounted by a gold Cross, is encircled by a garland of white marguerites. The garland of marguerites speaks of simplicity, a charming trail of girlhood.
On the right lies a Gospel with a silver rosary. The Gospel is a light to life and its mysteries. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature seen
through the eyes of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. On the left are a golden distaff and spindle, symbols of womanly labour. Emblazoned on the Crest is our motto:
“Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty”
Virtue is a personal possession; no one can take it away from you against your will. An upright virtue goes out to one’s neighbour with spontaneous warmth. It judges oneself with humble honesty and it goes straight to God with childlike confidence.
“Steadfast in Duty” speaks for itself. Perseverance in what is one’s assigned vocation is not always easy but it yields that inner peace and freedom which no money can buy.
Here’s to renewed friendships!! We are all looking forward to this occasion next week!
