Smile Was Enough As Gift

This post was inspired by @Eunoia with his article, How Rusty Knew Today is My Birthday?

It is not my birthday yet but I wanted to write this now for today's post. Actually I was trying to write about Darkness, the writing prompt #4 of Ms. Jonica, it's gonna be next after this. 

While reading Eunoia’s post, I paused and thought when I read the line, “My parents ask two things the day before my birthday…” I don’t remember my parents asking me the question, “What do you want on your birthday?” when I was a kid.

Looking back at those memories, I just realize how hard it is for a parent to be consistent at not asking his son or daughter what they want for their birthday every year. We can’t even ask our parents for anything when our birthday comes. Even if we wanted something special like eating at a restaurant or asking for toys, it is just better not to say it. It’s not going to happen. The reason was poverty.

My parents, especially my mother would just greet me or my siblings a happy birthday with a smile. I just remember one time, I guess when it was my eight birthday, my mother told my eldest sister to bring me to church to give thanks and praise. Then we would go to my aunt to let her know that it was my birthday. She gave me something as a gift, as far as I can remember it was a set of crayons. But of course for sure our first birthdays were celebrated with a simple party. 

It was only when we were grown up that mother would sometimes have something for our birthday. You know, she would cook “Pansit”, a traditional way of celebrating birthday for a typical Filipino.

As years went by, my parents have managed to make things a little bit easier. Mother has found ways to help my father with their finances. Sometimes she would work in handicrafts, you know, like making bags out of “Abaca” for export. Earnings were kind of cheap but it was big enough to support the finances.

I Hate It

Back in grade school, our teacher used to mention kids that had birthday's. So they will ask the class to sing a birthday song to whoever has a birthday. Most of my classmates belong to a middle class family and whenever they have birthdays their parents used to bring food to school. Some would bring candies and the celebrant would give us candies.

I hate it when our teacher does that. I felt embarrassed when they would sing me a birthday song because my parents can't afford to bring food to school, not even a pack of candies. You know when kids know that their classmate has a birthday, they would expect for the next thing to happen. It's kind of embarrassing when I don't have something to celebrate for them. But parents need not have to do so. Some parents do that for some reason.

But then again I had so many wishes during my birthdays when I was a kid. I felt envious of my classmates whose parents were able to provide for their children. Sometimes I feel self pity and become sad. I can't help it, I was only a kid.

Nevertheless, I see the reason why I can't be like my classmates when they have birthdays. I don't regret it. I just made a promise to myself that I won't let that happen to my kids in the future. At least my parents will be proud if they see me succeed in the future. They would understand. I don’t blame them either for living a life like that. 

Now that I am a father of two, I always make it sure that my kids will be happy during their special day. I always make ways to celebrate their birthdays with happiness because that was something I miss when I was a kid. I always ask them what gift they want on their birthday but it's just enough for my budget. They would understand and they are not asking me too much. Sometimes they would tell me what gift they want when their birthdays are approaching. But there are times that we lack finances, I told them about it and there is no big deal with that.

Birthday celebration in three days

Birthdays are the most special day a person has every year, that's why some people tend to celebrate it the most. They said it only happens once a year. I remember a co-worker back in my old employer. Whenever his birthday comes, he would invite almost all of his friends and celebrate in two or three days. He would even invite his friends in nearby provinces for his birthday. He would purchase one live goat and make it for the celebration. He never cared if he would consume 10K to 15K PHp for food and liquor. Then he would have a leave of absence in three to four days. 

That’s a lot of celebration, it was more than a feast. Even if I have extra cash for my birthday I wouldn’t do that. That's nonsense and a waste of money.

Anyway these are just my stories about birthdays. On this coming 25th, my only princess will turn 11 and she was asking for a hoodie as a gift. But I still have something for her and I want to surprise her.

What are your birthday stories? Please share in the comment. I would love to read it.

Thanks for reading. Ciao!

Feel free to check my previous posts:

Forget About Your Girlfriend But Not Your Wallet Password

Pretend: Good Or Bad

He Was Lost With His Post

Listen: Do You Want To Know a Secret

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Lead image source

Photo Credits:

Kyle Head

Gabe Pierce

Ryan Quintal

Nathan Dumlao