"...it's yo Birthday..."

Some may believe we've lost the real meaning of birthdays? Do we gain anything, except another year to tack on to our lives? Of course we do. We gain a new perspective on life; a new experience to put in the books and news ones to make. But for 1 year olds, what exactly do they remember; what do they take with them as they continue to grow?

Today we celebrated Aukele-girl's 1st birthday. She was in her usual cute attire, with a small little tiara to match. When Joanne & I got there, she was just about to take her beauty nap before more people arrived. When she awoke about an hour later, she was rested and good to go to celebrate with her loved ones. Good food, warm and friendly company, and sweet "island flava" music by the MangoKingz filled the air of the clubhouse where balloons were decorated and a Pisces "Under the Sea" theme covered the walls. As she looked around, you can tell she hasn't the slightest clue as to what's going on in her surroundings. What will she remember from this day? Well thank goodness for technology, photos and videos will be shared one day to give her a memory and a sense of love from those who were able to share this day with her. This tradition will continue on for years and years, until she'll be able to remember for herself.

I can reminisce when we were kids, my parents threw big birthday parties at our house. It would start in the early morning with a sacrifice of one of our farm animals (I know...weird or gross, but don't worry, it was perfectly fine as part of our family ritual). But the party would start in the afternoon with kids running around the property, kool-aid stains on our lips, half of the adults singing a song or two on the keyboard, and the other half in the garage playing a game of Gin Rummy or poker. Not sure how it was determined, but I remember my dad created a birthday money pot from the card table, and the celebrant would receive the $$ pot at the end of the night, plus all of our gifts and envelopes from family & friends. Talk about a jackpot for kids! Plus being able to sip on soda all day long, run around, and have a slice of cake or two...it was like heaven on Earth. Heck, we were kids, what can be more gratifying? As we got older, the parties started to disapate. When we moved to Hawai'i, they were basically gone forever, until we were old enough to start our own parties ourselves with friends.

Turning 18 for most Pinays meant cotillions or debut celebration (the coming of age for Philippine women). I never had one, never quite knew what it was until I moved back to California and was surrounded by Filipinos. I kid you not, but to my surprise, they were pratically like weddings! Just watch the movie "The Debut" with Dante' Basco. Same goes traditionally for 15 year old girls from Latin American cultures. They celebrate their Quinceañera (basically similar to Sweet Sixteen birthdays).

There are many more birthday traditions around the world, but nothing comparable to first birthdays. Regardless if they remember or not or appreciate it when they become teenagers, just know that while your baby may be surrounded by family & friends wishing her a happy-happy 1st birthday, in all fairness, you get a bigger slice of the cake for your anniversary of your becoming a parent. So congratulations on this milestone to you 1st year parents out there. May you continue to productively raise your 1 year old to become appreciative of life and to love always.

*special shout-out to Tevyn-Trae also. Happy 1st Birthday!*