Is It My Birthday, Yet?

Do you celebrate your birthday?

Birthday celebration can be a lot of fun! The planning and preparation for this day is elaborate and sort of a big deal. Some of us can hardly wait to celebrate, especially kids and their families who look forward to giving and receiving gifts. It is an important day to spend with family and friends and be grateful for our lives. For many of us here in the United States, we look forward to this special day. Back in my homeland, my niece is turning seven and she is obsessed with having a birthday party.

Senior year of high school, a month before my graduation, I had my first birthday party at 19 years old, thanks to the Schmit family whom I lived with at the time. They orchestrated the entire event. Initially, I was nervous to be the center of the attention. I felt uncomfortable to be in the spotlight. The experience was unfamiliar to me, but I went with the flow and in the end I had an okay time. When I went back to Vietnam in 2016, we threw a surprise birthday party for my brother. It was his first birthday party ever. He turned 40 years old. He went around the room feeding each guest a spoonful of cake. There was just enough to go around. He was surprised and really grateful. Maybe that is where Selena first saw a birthday celebration?

My brother surprise 40th Birthday Party!

he feeds each guest a spoonful of cake.

I want to share this story with you to highlight my seven year old niece, Selena. She loves celebrating her birthday! Her four older siblings actually have never experienced this particular celebration. My sister described, “Selena will not stop talking about her birthday party.” Everyday for weeks she asked, “Is it my birthday, yet?” I heard that she wants a proper cake and a homework desk. Before, she wanted a bicycle, but because she knows that my sister and brother-in-law cannot afford to buy her a bike, or a homework desk, she’ll settle for a doll.

So, in order to raise funds for Selena’s birthday, so she could have the party of her dreams, cake and all, I sold my favorite Elephant Ear plant. I was able to get $100 USD. I sent the money so that my sister and brother-in-law could afford to throw her a party. This way she can celebrate this day and share her cake with family and friends. Below you can see a picture of the Elephant Ear plant, Selena as a baby and her today.