A Happy Birthday Post

Kikita here. I am hijacking the blog in order to write a properly effusive "Happy Birthday" post for this particular birthday.

Yes, birthday. When I was growing up, this person (the one who's birthday it is) used to tell me how she always thought her birthday was May 20th because there were always big celebrations and fireworks. Now that she's older, I think she's learned the truth. ;-)

It seems she's always sharing her birthday with something. If it's not Cuban Independence Day, it's Disneyland (she'll hate me for this, but she is as old as Disneyland so when Disney celebrates a big birthday, so does she), or (in today's case) Cuban Solidarity Day.

PLUS, the new Indiana Jones will be playing at midnight (which will make the official end of her actual birthday, but that's not important right now) and she has uber-geek tendencies when it comes to Indiana Jones.

I swear, I have a point.

I just think that it was by some awesome grand design that this person was born today and gets to share her day with so many other major and memorable events. She is always so willing to share. It is HER birthday, but I bet she'll treat for the movies. It is HER birthday, but I bet she'll try to cook us dinner. She is almost impossible to surprise because she is always so busy serving others and being selfless.

She gives freely of herself even when she doesn't have much to give. She's the type that will take off a bracelet that she loves and give it to a friend because she knows how much they love it.

When we were in Miami and she was a quasi-celebrity (little "c" of course), she couldn't help but care about everyone around her. She started with the natural mothering thing. She would tell anyone they need to drink water if they look dehydrated to her, I think she even sent someone home from CN to take a shower and a nap, "So you'll feel better."

I know, sometimes it may sound kind of bossy, but it's just that her heart is so big and she knows in her know-er what's best for us. So I find myself thinking, "One day when I grow up, I want to be like that . . ."

Anyway, in my opinion, birthdays are about saying, "I'm so glad you were born. I'm grateful for you."

And I know there are so many other things going on in the world today and I know she won't mind sharing her birthday with United Cubans and Indiana Jones, but I just want to say:

Mom, I'm so grateful for you. You are the reason I am who I am today. I couldn't have gotten this far without you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you!