The sun is up and the wind is cold right now while I am writing the blog, I don’t feel like waking up early today since it is Saturday. I really had a stressful week at school because we had a lot of activities and projects that need to be done before the weekend., I know that if I take a moment to enjoy the quiet morning ❤️- I might find the motivation to tackle my to-do list. Perhaps a warm cup of coffee and a cozy blanket will help ease me into the day.
Yesterday, after school, we celebrated my cousin’s 12 birthday and her name is Joyzyl. So, right after my Friday class I went straight to my auntie’s house because that is where she resides. I bought a bar of chocolate so I can give it to her as my birthday present. When I arrived, their house is so full of decorations and by the way, her birthday theme is butterfly color purple since that is the favorite color of the celebrant. That time, my auntie wasn’t finished yet with the decorations and food so we helped her right away before the celebrant arrives. She will be out from school around 4 in the afternoon.
Well, it is already a birthday tradition to have a balloons so we make sure to decorate it beautifully. The balloons are filled with air already so I am the one who put it inside the balloon chain and hang it above the window near the table. As I step back to see if I have done it correctly, I was so amazed by just looking at it because it is so cute specially the butterflies decoration. Now it looks more alive.
Next,.I help my mother’s younger sister frying the chicken since she is busy organizing the desserts and foods in the table,. As I carefully coat the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour the sound of the oil fills the kitchen making my mouth water. I can see my auntie glancing over her face lighting up with appreciation as she arranges the colorful sets of desserts. So yeah, after that, we are almost done with everything so we finished the final touching since it is almost 4 in the afternoon, so few moments from now the celebrant will come home. My heart felt with excitement knowing that soon we will gather around the table to celebrate and share delicious foods and also filling the air with joyful memories…
4:20 in the afternoon, Joyzyl and her friends are already here so we sing a birthday song for her. Joyzyl beamed with happiness, her eyes sparkling with joy. Everyone gathered around her and ready to share cake and laughter- creating memories that would last a lifetime. As we are done singing her a birthday song, we allow her to blow the candle and make a wish. I know that deep inside she was so grateful for that day.
I was so happy seeing her happy specially that she grows up without knowing her father and her mother was also diagnosed with a mental condition so basically she was raised by my auntie who is a younger sister of her mother. I know it wasn’t easy for her accepting the kind of situation she have and thankfully she was not really that affected and really pursued her studies and working hard for it. As a family, we always make sure she never felt left out and attends to her needs. We always make sure to cope up the emptiness she felt. This support system helped her build a foundation and confidenc which allows her to work hard academically and personally. Over the years, she has grown into a remarkable individual, embracing both her challenges and achievements with grace.
And to continue, after she blows out the candle, we already started eating and enjoyed the celebration. Joyzyl and her classmates were also singing the karaoke embracing each other’s company. The house was filled with laughter and alive music, creating a perfect background for the joyous occasion. As the night continue, memories were made and friendships strengthened making it a birthday to remember for Joyzyl.
The celebration is about to end since it is later at night already we all sat around in living room… feeling full from the delicious foods the we cooked and still laughing over the jokes that had been shared throughout the evening. My cousin’s birthday celebration had been simple yet filled with warmth and happy just family, good food, and the kind of joy that only comes when we're surrounded by people who truly know her.
The cake had already been cut, and the classmates of joyzyl were enjoying around with the last bits of their energy, My auntie, as always, make sure everyone had their fill before finally sitting down herself, watching over us with a tired but happy smile. My cousin, the birthday celebrant, sat in the middle of my cousin wich is her sister, grinning as they unwrapped the last few gifts. Nothing luxurious, but each one given with thought and love. The room was full of soft conversation,.. the occasional burst of laughter, and the comforting presence of family.
As people started to arrange their things and say goodbyes to us, hugs my cousin with her classmates. My auntie, stood by the door, thanking everyone for coming, even though we all knew she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Walking out into the room of my auntie feel the cool night air, I felt that familiar feeling of contentment. It wasn’t about the decorations, the gifts, or even the food,it was about being together, celebrating another year of life, and creating memories that, even in their simplicity, would be treasured for a long time. And as I took one last glance back at the warmly house, I smiled. Another birthday well spent.
This is the kind of occasions or celebrations that I am looking forward every year where the whole family gather together to share smiles and creating memories that will lasts forever.