October 14 . . . this same message rings true in my heart every year.
Dear Mom,
Happy Birthday!
I can’t honestly recall the last time I celebrated your birthday with you—ON your birthday. It may have been when I was in high school—still living in our little white house on Brentwood—back together in our home country, the U.S.
That was a long time ago.
I don’t remember what we did back in those days for your birthday celebrations. Perhaps we made a cake to surprise you when you came home from work, or maybe we went to Tippin’s Pie Factory for your favorite French Silk pie. Maybe we went out to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa to Mr. Steak. They always gave a free steak dinner on your birthday, so that was always a special treat!
It’s been so long ago that we celebrated your birthday together. I honestly can’t recall the last time.
After all these years apart—separated by the Atlantic Ocean—I had grandiose plans a few years ago to be with you in New York City to celebrate your 70 years of life. Unfortunately, those plans changed, as our world was rocked by the storms of this life. I never made it on that airplane to join you for that fun and long-awaited birthday celebration.
I couldn’t quite get to you.
That was a huge disappointment—for me, for you, for all of us.
Today, once again, it’s October 14. It’s your special day. I long, once again, to be with you. I wish, once again, that I could celebrate with you.
Once again, I can’t. Once again, I’m on the other side of the world. Once again, I’ll have to take a rain check.
What would we do if we were together today?
Perhaps we would . . .
—Go out to lunch at your favorite French restaurant in Kansas City.
—Enjoy coffee and dessert in a quaint café.
—Go shopping in some of our favorite little shops that make us happy.
—Go see a funny “girl” movie and laugh until we cry and our bellies ache.
—Go to Quik Trip and buy all the maple long johns and Dr. Pepper in stock. Enjoy some of our “favorite things”!
—Go through McDonalds’ drive-thru and get giant, twist ice cream cones, then park, and enjoy them in the car while chatting—with the windows rolled down.
—Take a long, much-needed nap and then enjoy a cup of hot tea in your kitchen.
—Watch one of our favorite, mindless shows on TV like “America’s Got Talent,” “The Voice,” or “Dancing With the Stars.”
—Enjoy a glass of chilled wine on your back deck next to the fire pit.
—Grab carry-out or dine in at our favorite Chinese restaurant down the street (Moo-Shu Chicken with pancakes and plum sauce, please.)
—Dance and make faces—being sure to videotape the spectacle for years of laughter to come!
I’m not sure what we would do. Honestly, it wouldn’t really matter what we did on your birthday. What would matter is that we would be together on your birthday.
One more year, one more birthday . . . I will have to take one more rain check.
I can’t promise you when I will be with you again on your birthday—to celebrate, to dance, to shop, to laugh, to eat . . .
Just know that every year, I long to be with you. I think about you. I remember you. I love you.
Just know that every year, even though you are one of those “left behind,” you will never be thrown into the “pool of forgotten ones.”
I will never forget you.
I will always love you.
Although not with you physically, I will always be with you on your birthday—in my heart, in my mind, in my prayers.
I love you, Mom, and I pray that you will have an amazing birthday celebration—full of joy, love, and peace. I pray that you will have a blessed year and a long life of health and happiness.
Happy Birthday, Mom—from the other side of the world!
Joyeux Anniversaire! (French)
Cumpleaños Feliz! (Spanish)
Eid Milad Said! عيد ميلاد سعيد (Arabic)
I love you ALWAYS,
Your Daughter—on the other side of the world
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever been away from one of your loved ones on their birthday? What would you do if you could spend that special day with them? What can you do to make them feel loved across the miles and oceans?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
So sweet. So touching. Love it.
It was straight from my heart to my mother’s heart. 🙂