Valli and Ponni were my childhood friends in Jaffna. My brother and I, after returning from school, used to feed them fresh green leaves and rice water. Thambi and I spent most of our evenings with Valli and Ponni. These charming two were always with us from morning to night during holidays. We lead them to green pastures and play with them. They were more than just sheep to us. They were family.
If you ask any 90’s kid from the northern part of Sri Lanka, they will definitely share their fearful and grievous childhood memories of the war. Most of the Tamils were forced to leave their own land otherwise they would be found dead due to the severe war. Due to civil war, my aunt planned to sell my lovable Ponni and Valli. We did not have any other option than to sell them because we had to save our lives and move them to a safer place at the same time.
Most of the Tamils including Pregnant women, elderly people and people living with different abilities had to leave their place to some temporary unknown place. They mostly did not know where and how long they were going to stay there. On the other hand, there were bombs, missiles, landmines and heavy gun fire all around. People had to move as homeless migrants amidst these in their mother land. Even during this threatening context, we remembered and missed Valli and Ponni a lot. But I have never met them again in my life.
My life as a child in 1980’s-2000’s amidst war in Sri Lanka was not easy. We did not enjoy our childhood like in other countries. Our ears and hearts were filled with noises of bombs and guns and people screaming. We breathed bomb fires and smoke, we drank water mixed with blood. That is how dirty our situation was.
We tried to forget all the bad memories from our minds but whenever Christmas comes, the journey from Jaffna to unknown places comes to our mind immediately. And somehow the sheep in the manger reminds us of our Valli and Ponni. We strongly believe that our Valli and Ponni are in the manger. The Birth of Christ brings life not only to humankind but also for the whole creation. Therefore, during this perilous Christmas amidst COVID19, let us remember those voiceless animals we considered family. let this Christmas not merely be a celebration of human beings, but also with creation.
Prayer
Life-giving God, we thank you for giving your son to redeem us from our sinfulness. Lord, we as Sri Lankans give our childhood memories into your hand. Heal us and fill our hearts with the true peace, so we may forget the bad memories and forgive our enemies. We plead you to make us live a peaceful life in our homeland. In the name of Baby Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Author: Jennifer Rochelle
About the Author: Jennifer is a member of the CSI Colombo Church. She is currently working as a teacher at the Ladies’ College, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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