Today is my birthday, and I was feeling really sad because nobody seemed to remember. I woke up early in the morning, excited to see some birthday decorations or at least have my mom tell me “Happy Birthday!” But when I went to the kitchen, there was no sign of it being a special day—no balloons, no cake, nothing. Just plain old cereal. Even my mom was acting normal, as if it were just an ordinary day.
I tried to brush it off and went to school. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed everyone else’s backpacks had birthday cards, balloons, or little gifts sticking out. The closer I got to my classroom, the more my heart sank. Jamie, my best friend, asked what everyone should bring for my birthday party. I forced a smile and told him maybe everyone could just wish me a happy birthday this year.
The day dragged on, feeling like forever. At lunch, Jamie and a few others sang “Happy Birthday” for me. But really, it was just to be nice since I told them nobody remembered my birthday. They said we could celebrate tomorrow instead, but I doubted anyone would show up then either.
After school, I felt a little better seeing Dad’s car in our driveway. At least I had him for company. But when I stepped inside, it was just like this morning—no signs of a birthday at all. Finally, when Mom came home from work, she had groceries in her hand, and I briefly thought she might have forgotten to buy a cake.
But then Dad told me to hurry up and get dressed for dinner. I was puzzled, but if there was food involved, maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad after all. We drove to my grandparents’ house, which was only a few blocks away. And sure enough, as soon as I entered the living room, everyone was there—my uncles, aunts, cousins, and all my friends. Brightly colored birthday decorations filled the room, balloons floated in the air, and there in the middle of the table was a huge cake surrounded by all sorts of snacks.
Everyone shouted, “Happy Birthday!” and I was overwhelmed with joy. I couldn’t believe I had almost given up hope. We played games, had fun, and ate the most delicious food. I felt like the happiest kid on Earth. It turned out my family had been planning this surprise the entire time.
The best lesson I learned today? Always hang in there. Family will always remember those important days in your life. Even if you think you’ve been forgotten, love always finds a way to shine through.