Today (April 28th) is my birthday! I am 23 years old now. WooWee! Some Nica birthday traditions include…smashing an egg on the birthday girl/boy’s head, piñatas, cake from PriceSmart, small gifts, and dancing. I avoided the egg on the head and had an awesome time spending the day here in Nica, one of my favorite places.
I was surprised and blessed to receive my very first phone call this morning from Heysi’s mom wishing me a happy birthday and blessed years to come. Soon after, my host dad came into my room and gave me a big hug and sang in his rich voice a song and a prayer for me. Similarly, my host mom, little brothers and NaNa gave me birthday greetings. I decided to wear, instead of my scrubs, a dress to workJ
Dr. Karla picked me up at my house and we went to one of the schools, Rey Salomon, and the parent’s of the special needs kids threw me a surprise birthday party…complete with cake from PriceSmart, and dancing. I was so touched and surprised. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better party!...and I even got another party that afternoon that I shared with Jimmy, one of the special needs kids. Also, the director of the school made me a shirt for my birthday…it is pink, yellow, orange, flowy, and very pretty. It fit me perfectly and was another surprise and blessing. It was only 1pm and I had already had 2 pieces of cake.
Later, at an appointment with her oncologist, Heysi and her Mom gave me a homemade card and a little gift of bobby pins that they decorated with beads. I was so humbled by their thoughtfulness and love.
When I got home, my host mom said we were going out to eat for a pizza party for my birthday. We went to Pizza Hut here and it was really fun to spend time with them. The wait staff came over and sang one of the five happy birthday songs and gave us a complimentary piece of yummy chocolate cake. My host little brother, Gabriel, and gobbled it up. Then when we got back to the house, NaNa had made me another cake. 4 cakes and 1 birthday…woowee. I could not believe the blessings I received on my birthday and really felt special. One of my top 5 birthdays no doubt!
Love,
Ayla Landry
"The trick is to grow up without getting old."
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