Panie Birthday Wish

The other day, one of our six grandchildren, Stephanie Gyn, fondly known to us as Panie, celebrated her 6th birthday. She had it in a simple, austere celebration with homemade foods prepared by her mama An An.

Panie, the birthday girl

Panie is a smart, a good dancer and talented kid. Her happy family is very proud of her.

Before her birthday, Panie asked her parents to prepare something for her to make it more sumptuous and memorable with balloons and other birthday decors.

Gigi, her aunt was kidding her and asked her: "What about if there could be no birthday party, for your parents don't have money yet? Payday is too far."

"Ti indi lang ako anay mag-six years old eh. Kun  wala sang handa o birthday party eh," (I wouldn't be turning 6 years old then if there's no celebration or birthday party.) replied Panie.

Everyone laughed.

Panie Happy Family

"Well, that's enough for awhile," her Tita said, "We want to know your birthday wish."

"Ang akon birthday wish: spaghetti, salad, a big cake, soft drinks, balloons, and many gifts," answered Panie uninterrupted.

Again, everyone laughed.

Before I went to work that day of Panie's birthday, I left some money to her aunt Gigi to be given to her mama when she arrives from her house in La Granja.

Upon arriving home, I noticed the table was ready. It's full of foods. Picture-taking was already done.

The Foods

The simple party started. I offered the following humble prayer for Panie:

"Our Heavenly Father, we're thankful for this 6th birthday of one of our well-loved granddaughter, Panie. Though the preparation is simple and cheap but yet it's full of thanksgiving, love and care from all of us.

"We're thankful also for the love and care of her parent who have brought her up according to thy nurture and admonition.

"We pray that Panie will grow up obedient to her parents, be preserved and protected from any sickness and harm and she may have thy wisdom to know what is good and what is evil...and follow that is good."

Mama An An lighted the improvised candle. Panie closed here eyes for a moment making a birthday wish, then blew the candle. And we sang, "Happy Birthday!"

Panie Homemade Cake

Birthday Wish

Everyone was curious of Panie birthday wish.

Panie wish: "Gusto ko ang pagpalangga-anay ara sa aton tanan, sa aton corazon." (I wish that love should be in everyone's heart.)

It's eating time. The foods prepared were Bihon Guisado, Maja Blanca, Valenciana (Panie's favorite), cake made of Maja Blanca with peanut butter as icing and with Panie's name, soft drinks.

Later that time, Caryssa, best girl friend of our youngest son Toto Jun arrived with spaghetti for Panie.

Only my family members, grandchildren were the visitors. My wife shared some of the foods to our closed relatives who just lived nearby.

Panie was happy. She was happy with her eldest sister Bulaklak, Papa Tipoy and Mama An An. And everyone was happy too.

Happy, happy birthday, Inday Panie! Love you!