Adventure Creative Nonfiction High School

CW: References to racially sensitive language

Birthday!

Imagine for the last 11 years celebrating your Birthday with your family on vacation. It started when I was 5 about to turn 6. We celebrated my Birthday out of the country, and I got on an airplane for the first time to Trinidad and Tobago where my Mom’s family is from. My whole family went, including my 1st cousins. This was an awesome trip, great food, nice weather and of course meeting new family members. After that we decided that we would go on a trip for my Birthday every year. We went to Boston, and Florida. We usually rent an Airbnb that has great amenities for us to enjoy with my Uncle, Aunt and their kids on my mom’s side of the family, and try to celebrate with my Dad and his family when we come back home. We also have family members that live in Florida come visit, because we always rent an Airbnb with a pool. It has been great, but my Dad has only gotten to go to Trinidad with us, because of his job. He has not been able to take off and go with us on the other Trips for my Birthday, and I am Daddy’s girl, so it’s been hard just leaving him at home, especially because my Birthday is June 19th, the same weekend as Father’s Day! So I decided that on my 16th Birthday I was not gonna go to Florida and I was going to celebrate my Birthday here in Atlanta, so that I could have fun with all of my family. Even though I love that my Birthday is June 19 and it’s around Father’s Day, and a National Holiday now, I get kind of down, because of the negativity I hear from friends at school. I am Biracial. My mom’s family is Black from Trinidad and Jamaica and my father’s family is White from Portugal and Italy. I was told one day they don’t know why they made my Birthday a Holiday, because I am not fully Black. I didn’t even know what to say to that comment. I was just so sad, and depressed after that, I let it bother me for way too! Long before telling my mom about what was said, because I can say that anytime something is bothering me my mom always has my back and knows exactly how to cheer me up. She told me that sometimes people say things without thinking about how it can hurt someone’s feelings, but you never let that person dictate how you treat others. She also told me that sometimes people say things, because they have something going on in their own lives and they take it out on others for no reason. She also said that I should always try to forgive and forget. I love knowing that I can talk to my parents about anything. “Ok, enough of that said stuff” where was I. Yeah! That’s right! My 16th Birthday, remember it is summer time, people are out of town and I don’t know if anyone will show up for this party. I told my Mom and she got to work right away sending out Evites to family members and friends to start preparing for my Big Party! I was so excited, I decided I wanted to have a Pool Party at my grandparents house, because the pool is literally directly across from their house. I then sat with my parents to see what type of food I wanted to have at the party. We decided on a variety of food from both cultures. We had Rasta Pasta, Homemade wings ( Barbecue, Lemon Pepper, Mild, and Plain), Hamburgers and Hotdogs on the grill, Arroz Con Pollo (Rice and Chicken dish) Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, and Chips & Dips, We had so much food, the guest were able to take to go plates.Then we have the color theme,It was a boho chic theme, I even got a new Dress, Shoes, Coach bag and new Swimsuit. My mom is a Visual Stylist, she’s all about the styling and decorating! She took care of all the decorating, the cake, and photography. I had 5 good friends that were in town show up for my party. I also had my immediate family on both sides come to my party. The party turned out even better than I thought it would. I am so happy I had my party at home this year. I think I am going to start alternating where I will have my party whether it is out of town or at home for my Birthday! I often wonder how people celebrate their Birthday's and what makes it special for them. Do they just celebrate with family, or do they like a big bash with friends, Do they celebrate milestones, or is it just another day to them. I know friends that celebrate their birthday for the whole month and go all out. Take cruises and just enjoy themselves. My mom always liked to have family birthday's with the cake and ice cream no matter how old you were, we had to celebrate on their day to show how much we love and care for them and make them feel important. She always stressed that everyday is a special day, but on your birthday it's all about you. Besides birthday's I just love family time, anytime I can spend with my family is great even when we don't always get along, we find a way to get through the good and bad times together. I hope everyone finds time to celebrate them at any means possible, because life is too short to just go to school, work, and pay bills. I would one day like to open a non- profit in the future that celebrates family and their friends not only on their special day, but just as gesture to show how they feel about that person and how they appreciate everything they have done for them. I want a place to go and just spend quality time together with no phones for a couple of hours, no social media, just sit talking, celebrating and get to know each other again without distractions. This is my future goal! So let's all get ready to Celebrate one another!

Posted Aug 09, 2025
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