It’s 11 hours into my birth day, and already I’m feeling utterly loved & blessed by the many who have made the little effort to send me well-meaning messages & gifts on the mobile, whatsapp, facebook, in person etc.

And as with every year since we got together, the husband called me last evening asking me how it felt to be an almost-2X (a question he asks on every eve of my birthday). While to him it may have been in jest, to me it was a moment I quietly reflected for a  few seconds as my life in the past year flashed before me.

Birthdays have always been a big part of my life. Being mom’s only child and having only each other for most of my life, mom always took the time (however busy she was juggling several jobs just to let me have a cushy life) & effort (in whatever simple way it may be) to let me know how thankful she was to God for sending me to her and how I have always been her greatest motivation in life, striving to work harder just so that I could be presented with opportunities to learn the piano, swimming, speech & drama and wouldn’t feel shortchanged in any way.

Mom always made sure she set aside enough to get me a medium size coffee cake (she loved coffee, I just loved cake) on my birthdays regardless whether of our un-priviledged status, or if it was just her celebrating with me at home or sometimes taking 1/2 day leave just to celebrate it with me in school because she had night classes at the business school.

And along with the cake, there would always be a beautiful hallmark-written birthday card. A card that would beatifully word all the  things that she wanted to say, her well intentions & heart’s desires for me.

And now although I have a lovely husband who would always wait till 11:59pm on the eve of my birthday to spring a Birthday song & cake for me, mom is still very involved in this yearly affair in her own way. She would call me in the first few minutes of midnight, sing a Birthday song and followed with a well-intentioned message.

This year her SMS message read:

“A daughter brings much happiness.

She is such a joy from the start.

Watching as she grows reaches deep within your heart.

She is full of love, caring and giving. A real joy to behold.

Watching her as years pass as her talents unfold.

She leaves memories and contentment throughout her years.

These memories will often bring happy tears.

I love you :*

Happy Birthday my darling girl :*

God bless you always.”