Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today is my mother’s 38th birthday. Earlier today, She thought that there wouldn’t be any party for her. It was like she accepted the fact that we have no money saved for her birthday. It was like she accepted defeat. She told me she was feeling alright although I sensed there was sadness in her voice and in her eyes. We are in an economic crisis and my father doesn’t bother to prepare anything for mom’s birthday. I had a plan the night before that I will buy her a present and some special food but then I woke up later than I used to. It was near lunch when I got out of bed. I hurriedly prepared myself to go out. My excuse was that I was going to have a meeting with the class officers. My excuse was not so effective but then they allowed me to go out. I found my ten year old sister, Virginia, lying at the sofa doing nothing. I asked her to come with me. Virginia hesitated for a moment but then she went with me.

We brought 5 panties and 2 nice shorts for my mother. The gift wrap was so wonderful it felt so right for Mom's birthday. It was all we could afford to give her as gifts. We bought her Folcon Black Forrest cake which looked very yummy and the vendor was really nice too. We even bought her all kinds of fruits which we made into a supposedly delicious salad. We also bought her some nice chinese noodles from the store she likes.
The panties were way to big for mom but the shorts did fit well. The cake looked yummy but it had an odd taste. The watermelon we bought ruined the taste of the salad while the chinese noodles weren’t enough for all the guests.

We came home while my parents were taking their naps. Mom answered the door for us. We surprised her with the stuff we bought for her but then she put on a face of disappointment that we had to buy stuff for her. We expected her reaction to be like that so we didn’t mind it at all. We went straight to preparing the small party instead. Mom looked happy and contented. It was like a dream come true as I played the happy birthday song for her. She was beaming with joy when my aunt visited her. She talked about our small surprise. Her voice really told us that she was proud and happy with our efforts for her birthday. My heart was smiling at that moment.

I learned a lesson during my mom's party. I refuse to believe that money can make people happy. It’s actually the efforts and the love of the people around my mom that made her really happy. It was the thought that moved her. We love her. We never take it as a responsibility to make our parents happy. They raised us well and it came naturally to us that we want to make all the days of their lives happier.

Happiness can be gained in this imperfect world. The panties were too big, the cake just looked yummy but it didn't taste good, the watermelon tasted like it was harvested a year ago, but my mother was truly happy. She was overwhelmed with our small surprise and though the food was not enough to satisfy all the people that came to mom’s birthday party, it was still enjoyable. Although father didn’t bother to get anything for my mom, he still joined the fun and put an effort to make mom happy in his own way. He isn’t aware of how hurt my mother was when he doesn’t make any plans for her birthday. Mom never forgets to put up a party for my father, no matter how difficult my father’s moods are. I guess I realize the truth of my mother’s words. I should stick with a guy who loves me more than I love him. In my mom’s case, mom loved my father triple times more than my father loves my mom. My father is like a king inside the house. Hmm what a realization. I had so many realizations in my life these past few weeks. Life is really wonderful and I hope mother will sleep with a happy heart tonight.

Again, Happy 38th Birthday Mom. We love you very much. I’m always here for you.