Birthday Boy, Birthday Joy

Lynn Murphy Mark

02/08/22

Sunday was my youngest grandson’s third birthday. He lives in a far-away state, and with COVID still rampant there was no pilgrimage to see the festivities in person. I was blessed to be at my other grandson’s fourth birthday last year. When children live far away there’s not always an opportunity to join in-person fun and frolic.

Three years old is a joyful age, both for the Birthday boy and for the witnesses to his excitement. His mom, my daughter Jackie, prepares the best decorations for whatever birthday theme has been requested. This year, Disney’s movie, Moana, is the overall favorite with both boys, but especially with Xander – Mr. “I’m three and my name is Maui”.

Jackie is a professional educator and she works with children in an elementary school. She is an early childhood specialist. She is also a most creative woman and can work wonders with cardboard. One year the theme was zoo trains and she built an engine with three cars attached. All this from cardboard and colored paper and several large stuffed animals in the railroad cars.

Another year Lion King was it and there was a splendid table set with Lion King characters and decorations. It was awesome and , Cameron, the little birthday guy, was beside himself with happiness.

This year, the Moana theme called for a boat to be built – cardboard again, complete with a sail and paddles and a blue rug to represent ocean. When Xander got down the stairs from his room, Moana music was playing and the boat was sailing in the living room. He looked so surprised that he seemed stunned for a few minutes. His older brother, however, danced around the boat. Xander finally stepped over the side of the boat and took up a paddle. Just like in the movie!!!

The time came for presents. Jackie pointed out which presents came from which set of grandparents. “This one is from Yaya and Gigi”, she said, to which Xander replied, “No, it is mine!”. The word “from” apparently doesn’t mean much when you’re three. When it was time for cake, a beautifully decorated Maui cake was presented, and Xander ordered that all present sing “Happy Birthday”, lest they forget the occasion of the day.

If joy was edible, no one went hungry on Sunday. There’s nothing so precious as a wide smile on a child’s face. Xander’s parents sent us photos and videos of the day so that the delight and glee could be shared over the miles with people who would have traveled hundreds of miles to be there with them on this special day.

Jackie is the queen of a party’s “Big Reveal”. Her boys come downstairs to rooms that have become their fantasy worlds. The boys will always feel the wonder that she creates for them, no matter how old they are. I personally think she should work at Sesame Street. She’s just that good!