First Birthday at 13

I don’t remember my first birthday party. I have seen pictures and know that there was a cake that didn’t farewell from the experience. I remember when I was 3 and mom made me a Big Bird cake and I remember the year I had chicken pox on my birthday.

I’m sure you’re like me. Birthdays come and go and you assume people will say “Happy Birthday” and there is an assumption of at least a small celebration.

Kevin Msiega will always remember his first Birthday party and his first cake — lemon with blue icing. He should remember it — he was turned 13.

When I came to live with our kids in February one of my first decisions was that every one of them would have a birthday party this year. I soon found that wasn’t as easy as it sounded. When I asked them when their birthday was they didn’t even know. Not only have they lost their parents and their families but they’ve forgotten this important piece of themselves. So we sad down and picked birthdates. Kevin and I picked July 26th for him — my brother, Brian’s, birthday.

When the day rolled around Kevin had to be reminded that it was his birthday — he’d forgotten. When he was reminded the huge grin never left his face. In the US the tradition is spankings for the years you are old. In Kenya, the “wash” you — which means buckets and buckets of water are thrown on you. The other kids jumped into this with relish until Kevin was past soaked.

After dinner Zitah proudly brought in her first “solo” cake (I’ve been teaching her as the birthdays came and went how to bake the cake and make frosting and rudimentary decorating — all that can be done without tips that I’ll take back next time.). After questionable singing the cake was devoured and the pans were licked.

Maybe having a birthday party doesn’t seem like such a big thing but to Kevin it’s the first time he has been the center of celebration.

Pray that Kevin continues to lean on the Lord and allows God to guide his life.