8 Wishes And 2 Dozen Balloons

My life’s color hues changes constantly creating a spectrum of feelings, moods and emotions. I can go on and on enumerating what they are but in the end, there are only two colors I wish to keep and celebrate always, red for love and yellow for happiness. Yes, I got my share of blues, purples and greys but dwelling on them just wears me down. I choose to embrace color hues that inspires me to face another day, win another battle, conquer another fear and treasure in memory another unforgettable event.

Days before his Birthday I asked my son, “What do you wish for your Birthday?” With twinkle in his eyes, he replied, “A bike and a Lego toy.” I added, “Anything else? You can make 8 wishes for your 8th Birthday.” Laughing, he answered, “A Lego Star Wars, a bike, bike, bike, bike, bike, bike and a bike.” Sounding confused, I asked him, “What do you mean?” Smiling, “Dad, I just wish for one bike and a Lego.”

On the day of his Birthday, me and his mom asked him, “So, where do you want to celebrate your Birthday?” He answered, “IHOP!” To make sure, I asked him again, “IHOP? Are you sure you don’t want sushi or pasta?” He explained, “IHOP dad because it makes my favorite pancakes with that yummy thing on top.”

Hours later, after indulging on a piece of Berry-Berry Brioche French Toast and a third of Spinach and Mushroom omelette, I told my wife, “Good thing he chose this place. Food’s delicious!” She smiled at me and said, “Yes, they were. Very affordable too.”

After our Brunch, we decided to extend our Birthday celebration by the beach. We thought of an outdoor place where our little boy had the happiest and fun of memories. Only one popped in our heads, Galveston Island State Park.

Early that morning, my wife whispered, “Hey, I want to surprise our son with balloons and a cake by the beach.” Excitedly, I replied, “That sounds like an amazing idea.” We made sure he gets his favorite colors especially yellow and gold. We also added a balloon with a picture of a dog and a cat, both of which he adores.

A child’s Birthday party is never complete without the cake. That morning, we bought him a simple cake from Kroger’s with colors of sea blue, deep purple and mysterious black. Perfect hues to go with the sea creatures and fishing rod toys he chose from Dollar Tree. We held the cake carefully in the car, making sure all icing stay in place.

We reached the Galveston State Park around 4 P.M. The weather was beautiful. Cool breeze, clear skies, waters so gentle and calm. After finding our ideal spot, it was time to run and play with the balloons. Just when I thought everything was moving smoothly, something slipped from the basket I was holding. I heard a “plop” sound. I looked down and saw the cake face down. I froze for a few seconds. I then glanced at my wife and said, “Oh, oh!” Sounding alarmed my wife screamed, “What happened? What did you do?” Looking sad, I answered, “Luv, sorry. The cake just slipped.” Before she got upset, I assured her, “But it’s okay. We’ll just cover the bald spots with toy decor.” It worked!

We all sang the Happy Birthday song and asked our son to make his Birthday wishes. Smiling, he said, “I wish for a bike and a Lego toy.” I asked him, “Anything else?” He replied, “That’s it” and quickly blew the candle.

Without using his hands, he dipped his mouth into the cake and started eating the icing. Grinning happily, he announced, “This is yummy. Mmm…”

After nibbling on the cake, Birthday Boy took the fishing rod on top of the cake and started fishing for the toy sea creatures. When he caught the octopus, he jumped and said excitedly, “Yipee! I got one!”

The beautiful golden Sun was slowly setting down the west horizon of Galveston Island. It was time to let the balloons fly. One by one, my son let go of the balloons starting off with the least of his favorite colors. His laughter filled the air as he chased the soaring balloons. As I watched the magic unfold before my eyes, I made the rest of the 6 wishes to complete the 8 wishes.

With everything I’ve got, I wish for...

1. A world were he and all the children will be safe from harm, darkness and pain. A world where a child can  live without fear. A world where peace and equality reigns.

2. That he will experience a lifetime of blessings. Blessings like love, joy, good health and freedom from heartaches. If heartaches happen, may he be surrounded by people who will help him heal and believe once more.

3. Most if not all of his dreams to come true. Dreams that will give him meaning and contentment. Dreams that will give him true happiness and calmness from within.

4. Family and friends who will nurture him with a loving heart, inspire him to become his best and to support him without conditions.

5. That he will always have a pure heart of faith no matter how many tests and trials will come his way. To have a heart that believes in hope and goodness in others. A heart that is simple, generous, kind and forgiving. A heart that puts God first on top of everything.

6. That he will have tons of fun, happy, memorable Birthdays, candles to blow, wishes to make and balloons to let go with the people he loves. 

As we picked up the remaining balloon strings, me and my wife agreed that this Birthday Party was one of the best ones we’d been to. Best because long after the Sun disappeared and the last candle blown off, the light, joy and warmth that families give to each other continues.

Thank you for sharing your day with me and for sharing my wishes. Wishes are likely to come true when more hearts believe in them. 

A blessed, beautiful day to all.

Related articles

• Make Children’s Birthday Parties Amazing with Fun Games (magicianhiremelbourne.wordpress.com)
• Its Party Time! Yay! (yaminivijendran.wordpress.com)
• 7-year-old’s birthday money donated to Opportunity House (readingeagle.com)
• Announcing New Children’s Birthday Party Ideas by KEE Kreations, to Be Personalized and Customized (prweb.com)
• Lego Lady’s Birthday Party (scrapbookladypages.com)
• Birthdays (sparklesfromabove.wordpress.com)
• Happy 7th Birthday, Finian (honeynola.wordpress.com)
• Fruit “Cake” (dammitjanetilovefood.wordpress.com)
• A Ring-Tailed Lemur On Your Birthday Cake (valleygrail.wordpress.com)
• Maggie’s Birthday (letsobtainayield.wordpress.com)
• Regular Show Birthday Party (keepingupwiththecraftmoms.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You – 2 (bastetandsekhmet.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You (thesimplesmiles.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You…In Autumn (klling.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You (kellylovesphotography.lu)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait in Ginkgo Leaves (piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com)
• The Hue of You. Weekly photo challenge. (winedrinkingmummy.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge – The Hue of You. (hnwcassandra.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You (krupal22895.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge-The Hue of You (allresourceupdates.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You (theindecisiveeejit.wordpress.com)