To be alive for a quarter century
I just turned 2 decades and a half, but in a most youthful way.
I have dreamed of celebrating my birthday by having a kiddie party. Yep, a kid’s party that includes balloons, games, and cake. But I never really have the time nor money to plan it or to make it happen. However, I was blessed with a sister who was glad enough to make it happen.
My brother acted as the decoy while my sister, together with my mom, conspires with our relatives and a few of my close friends to surprise me. So my brother took me out of the house to buy my gift, fetch his girlfriend, and go to PMall to get my mom’s watch fixed. After several hours of entering and exiting stores, we went home only to find an empty house…which by the way I was expecting to be filled with a few visitors (since I already knew that Uncle Adon’s family is coming over). I came home to a house that seemed hurriedly vacated only to find out that I will be left alone by my brother who has somewhere else to go to. While I was wondering where the rest of my family might be, the phone rang. Seeing my sister’s name on the display window, I thought I’d find answers only to find out that I must do an errand. After saying yes, I realized I won’t be able to execute her request because it required leaving the house and I don’t have the keys to lock the door. The dilemma was solved when my dad came. So I went down to the building’s lobby to where my sister said she’d be. To my surprise I was summoned to my kiddie party! The visitors I was expecting were there, and so were a whole bunch of people. I can’t help but grin widely as they shouted surprise and popped balloons and sang the ‘happy birthday’ song. We had food, and games (including pin the tail on the donkey), and trivia, and we even had balloons, party hats, piñata, and cake, and loot bags! I even received gifts! It was a real birthday party because we have spaghetti…a real Filipino party because we also have pansit!
As if the surprise wasn’t enough, my sister even produced a recorded message from a few of my friends in the Philippines she was able to contact.
It was really a happy birthday. Mere greetings were enough to make me smile, mere remembrance make me feel special, how much more a party thrown in my account?! It’s enough to make getting old so much fun!!!
That is why for being 2 decades and half, I thank the Lord. For the e-greetings (thru’ ecards, friendster messages, and friendster comments) I thank my friends and family who sent them. For the party, I thank my sister and my family and friends who made it happen.
I thank God for blessing me all these past quarter century, for giving me this length of time to live, and love life, for friends who rejoices with me, and of course for a family who loves me no matter what (even I am quite odd at times).
To be alive for a quarter century makes me realize that it’s good to be in touch with the kid within me from time to time. It wouldn’t hurt to have fun like a child sometimes. The little things in life can bring joy, and even the simplest things can prove to be fulfilling. I can say that no matter how difficult life can get, with God, it’s always good to be alive. I rejoice for reaching thus far—a quarter of a century!
Leave a Reply