A Mom and More

Today, 9 November 2007, I turned 50.

Unlike my past milestone birthdays at 18, 30, and 40 when I wished for, planned minute details and held big parties attended by relatives from different sides and friends from school, work and business – months back, I told my siblings that I will just have a quiet, budget-friendly, and simple 50^th birthday celebration, exclusively for our closest family members, in keeping with tough times. I am glad about this decision for several reasons:

1. I had less stress in choosing a party theme and planning for details about the venue, decors, physical arrangements; menu and food preparation; invitations, (who to assign as) photographer, give-aways and activities;
2. I had no pressure in making a guest list and ensuring that I did not leave anyone out while considering how each guest could have a jovial evening in the company of a diverse gathering of people;
3. I felt at peace with myself after hearing mass alone and attending my first day of classes in school without any worry about how I would look in my birthday dress; what accessories to wear and how I could conceal with make-up the haggard look on my face (as I check on party minutiae for a perfect birthday and miss out on much needed rest and sleep);
4. My meager cash remained untouched at the end of the day – I even got my age matched with cash gifts and tokens;
5. My family had fun, memorable and meaningful bonding moments focused on me (without feeling obliged to entertain guests as they did during my past birthdays).

A mom in wonderland, a mom in one red land

My two kids (Aon and Aei), my siblings (Annie, Arlene and Arthur), my mom and the rest of the family pooled their time, effort, resources and (yes) acting talents to produce a truly once-in-a-lifetime 50^th birthday celebration for me. My mom told me not to prepare anything since my siblings agreed to treat me to dinner in a Korean restaurant in Makati when all family members shall have arrived from school and work. I wondered why Korean (since I prefer Chinese and Japanese) and why that restaurant (it was in Makati and was a hassle to reach on a Friday because of the traffic along the way).

I also wondered why Ariel (my husband) stalled our trip to Makati till after 7 p.m. although he was back home from work unusually early. He told me that my mom, my siblings and their children would meet at my sister Annie’s home and carpool to Makati to save gas. Upon reaching Annie’s home, my hunch (about a secret party) was reinforced when my brother-in-law opened their home’s gate for Ariel to bring in the car; this is the first time Ariel brought the car inside since it was easier for him to park by the roadside.

I noticed Annie’s home and garden dark and seemingly uninhabited as a meeting place; it is usually well-lit and welcoming for our family events. As I stepped out of the car and walked towards her house, I heard the piano play “Happy Birthday” as my family members one by one left their hiding places to welcome and greet me while my daughter Aleli and my niece Kashka showered me with rose petals.

When the lights went on, I looked around and saw everyone in red (my favorite color), all tables and corners filled with red rose arrangements and a big banner (done by Aaron) flashing the words: Alice @ 50 – still growing, still glowing.

These photos capture the love, the warmth and the passion of my 50^th birthday in my one red (wonder) land.