Growing Up Poor: Birthday Cakes Aren’t Necessary
Growing up, we don’t buy cakes on our birthdays. My mother would only cook a dish or two like Pansit and Humba for lunch and dinner. We never thought of buying cakes since we couldn’t afford them and there are better things like necessities that we could spend the money on. My sister and I had never demanded one on our birthdays. We know that we couldn’t afford it. We are just contented with what our parents could buy to celebrate our birthdays.
I’ve never experienced inviting friends over on our birthdays. The food that my mother usually prepared was enough for the four of us. However, when my mother’s cousin moved to our place, we never fail to share the food with her as she is with us on special occasions like birthdays.
I’m thankful that my friends had never insisted to go to our house to celebrate my birthday. I know they know how poor we are. They just greet me on my birthday. I’ve been grateful for them cos they never fail to invite me on their birthdays. They always prepare lots of food. I would refuse their invitations sometimes cos I feel shy. I feel bad that I couldn’t do the same for them.
Growing up so poor can make you contented. You will learn not to ask for more but settle with what you can afford or already have.
Celebrating birthdays has never been that grand in my family but we never forget to go to church and light some candles to pray for the family. We always pray for each other’s health. I’ve always believed that praying/wishing on your birthday has greater chances of having it granted. We still wish without blowing candles on a cake instead we do it when we light some candles in the church.
Growing up poor you will learn that having cakes isn’t that important than being with your family on your special day.
I got a cake on my first birthday though. I got a baby picture of me staring at the cake. I might be wondering what that thing was. 😂 I also got a cake on my 24th birthday. A new friend of mine made it for me. I was so thrilled that time. I got a cake on my birthday after 23 years! What a blessing that was! 😊 I’ve been grateful to her and her act of kindness will never be forgotten. I got a cake on my 25th and 27th birthday as well. Thanks to my husband for making me one this year. It took me days to finish it cos he doesn’t like to eat cake. I really insisted to buy a cake for our son on his first birthday. It might the first and last cake he could ever have. I will tell him that birthday cakes are not important when he grows up. 😂
You might be thinking why I didn’t buy cakes when I got a job. Sure, I can already afford one. However, growing up poor you will learn that buying a cake on your birthday isn’t necessary. I’d rather buy books than cakes. Yeps, that was what I did. Books are the only things I am addicted to. 😂
Growing up poor you will learn how to save money to get the things you want. I’ve learned how to save money since high school. Growing up poor you will learn to be grateful to spend your birthday with your family. Their presence is the best present you could ever receive. 💓
Yuchae Moon
