The Gift

Yesterday was my birthday. Historically, I have always wanted much to be made of my birthday. After all, it’s the only day of the year that’s all about me! (I think I lack a little humility here.) But my family always made a big deal of birthdays; no working, get to choose what’s for dinner, fine china, etc. So when Greg and I got married, I wanted him to continue the tradition. Bless his heart, he did. But after coming to Brazil, we began to desperately miss our family during holidays. So when Greg asked me what I would like to do on my birthday, I said, “Nothing.” (Sometimes when things hurt so badly, it’s easier to act like they don’t exist rather than be disappointed by them.)

But as my birthday kept getting closer, he kept asking me, “What would you like to do for your birthday?” So I finally said, “Let’s just go out to dinner.” He said, “Would you like to invite anyone?” I said, “No, that’s OK.” But he wouldn’t let it go. “How about Steve and Debra?” “OK, they’re OK.” But as the days kept coming, so did Greg’s questions. “How about Sylvia and Ralf?” I got tired of even making an attempt at dissuading him, so I said, “Yes, whatever.” “Anyone else? How about The Kid (Greg’s name for Alex, Steve and Debra’s son-in-law) and Krista? And Ellie? And our language teachers?” (I’m thinking, “Oh dear, this is really starting to resemble a party.") In my head I was thinking that I was just going to let him do whatever he wanted because it seemed much more important to him than it was to me. But his questions didn’t stop. “Where do you want to eat.” Now we’ve been here seven months, but the reality is, other than a few snack shops or per kilo type places, we only know one restaurant and that’s Água Doce. So I said, “How about Água Doce?” I thought that would be the end of it but a few days later, he says again, “Where do you want to eat on your birthday?” Once again, I said, “The only place we know is Água Doce, so let’s go there.” A few days before my birthday, he tells me, “Marina (one of our language teachers) and I went out today and found a restaurant for your birthday and it’s going to be a surprise!” (OK, I’ll go along with this.)

The day of my birthday, I was in a funk. Jeepers, I really missed my children. The highlight of the day was talking to my daughter on Skype for about an hour. For the rest of the day, I just sat at the computer researching things (a bit of a hobby I guess.) But I was getting more down by the minute.

At 7 (remember, we’re on Brazilian time and they eat late), we took off for the restaurant. When we arrived, it was (I have to admit) a cute little place. When we went in, there were candles on the crisp white table cloths, live flower arrangements with roses and ivy, and a beautiful quiet ambiance. Through the windows, you could see displays of orchids (I love flowers) growing out of tree trunks in a symmetrical pattern, and the food was FRENCH! (I love French food.) When we arrived, Steve, Debra and Ellie were already waiting for us,(I really love them!) and greeted me with the traditional Brazilian birthday greeting, “Parabens! (Congratulations!)” (It was already more fun than I thought it would be!) Soon after, Sylvia and Ralf arrived, followed by Alex and Krista. (My heart was starting to sing.) It wasn’t long before a mix of Portuguese and English was blended into a wonderful, laughing, conversation, and they sang me the Brazilian birthday song (which truly is a masterpiece!) Did I mention I had salmon (my favorite food), and the food was tremendous?

It is the Brazilian tradition (I found out from Sylvia) to open your presents as soon as they’re handed to you. So I did! The present from Sylvia and Ralf was a CD of Brazilian worship music (so I will know the songs in church). I didn’t cry (but I felt like it. Not understanding the worship music is very hard on me.) Steve and Debra also gave me one of their favorite CD’s. You all know I am an earring nut. I pride myself on being able to pick out earrings that ladies will like and that look beautiful on them. Well, Ellie gave me the most adorable pair of earrings. I wouldn’t have picked them of the rack, but when I put them on, they were so CUTE (and make me look good!) I look really chique now! Greg gave me something I’ve been wanting ever since we came to Brazil. In Brazil, when you open plastic wrap or tin foil, the box does not have a cutter on it. You have to cut it with a pair of scissors. It’s a big stinking hassle. I had been wanting this little item that you hang on the kitchen wall that holds tin foil, plastic wrap and paper towels and HAS A CUTTER on it! That’s what Greg got me for my birthday, along with some really cute, colorful, Birkenstock type shoes with great arches that I had been eyeing in a shop on the mall! They were wrapped beautifully, by Greg himself (believe it or not, he’s a great wrapper as well as a great gift buyer!) To top it all off, the waiter gave us ALL dessert for free because it was my birthday! (Steve said Greg had raised the bar for birthday celebrations!)

Now, you may wonder, what is the point of this very long birthday story? It’s just this, everyone needs someone who loves them enough to shake them out of their self-pity, to drag them into joy. My husband loves me that much and I am grateful. Thank you Honey for a birthday I will never forget.