THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER :] 20!

On Tuesday, I had a HUGE birthday celebration that...YES! is worth blogging about.

I think everyone knows by now, how much I love the children at the Home. But today, my kids showed a part of themselves that I have never seen. My morning started off early at 5:30 am when I woke up dancing to Britney Spears as my roommate Maddie, groaned about what time it was. She soon got in the birthday spirit and was singing along to Nsync and The Backstreet Boys. As I headed down the stairs to greet the children, they started singing to me and Miss Adela (a nurse that I share the same birthday with). Miss Adela had 2 shots of Pisco (similar to Vodka) ready to drink for the beginning of our birthday celebration. 50 hugs and kisses were exchanged and not one child forgot to tell me happy birthday before 9 am.

The Mamitas (the cooks) at the Hogar, make exceptional homemade bread for breakfast. If we are given a donation of Paneton (sweet candy bread) we always use that first and then eat "Mamita bread". We had a donation of, not even kidding, 500 boxes of Paneton. YUCK! I begged Mamita Monday night if we could have her bread for breakfast on Tuesday because it was my birthday. She said no and that the doctor would get mad. I begged and begged and she just wouldn't budge. But...Tuesday Morning when I headed downstairs, fresh Mamita bread was waiting for me! Everyone knows I am a little bit of a food snob and having my favorite bread on my birthday was such a treat! Love you Mamitas :]

After breakfast and getting the kids off to school, I was called to the patio by our teacher, Jenny and all of the older kids. All of the kids sang Happy Birthday to me in English and then the traditional Spanish song. Evelyn, my goddaughter, presented me with gifts and a note the children wrote me. Evelyn got me a frame with a picture of the two of us and the other kids bought me a purse (which happens to be the same exact purse I bought and LOVED days before I was robbed in the jungle). The note said,

"To Cristina, our best friend and Mother. Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for all that you do for us and the joy you have brought to our lives. God had blessed you forever and we will never forget you. We love you, Mom!"

I lost it. In front of my best friends, children and peers...I started bawling. It was only 10 am and I knew this was going to be the best birthday ever, maybe even the best day of my life ;] 

The other volunteers had a few surprises up their sleeves as well. A few volunteers asked the Doctor if we could make Pisco Sours (the national drink of Peru...Pisco, sugar, lime juice, chili powder and egg whites) and if he would drink with us to celebrate my birthday. The Doctor never turns down a chance to drink alcohol, so the other volunteers made the Pisco Sours and during lunch the Doctor came down from his office, sat next to me and drank. I told him I knew about the puppy he was hiding in his room to give me as a birthday gift and he died of laughter. We took pictures and I told him to straighten out his back, smile with his teeth and try not to look like an old man. He grinned ;]

THE WORST, BEST PART OF A PERUVIAN BIRTHDAY....

It's a Peruvian tradition to crack eggs and throw flour on the birthday boy or girl. Well that sure happened! I had over 20 eggs cracked on my head and was covered in flour by 2 pm. The older and younger children surprised me with eggs, chased me with eggs and even the Staff members cracked eggs on my head. So much fun! Yet sooooo disgusting...

The older boys made me traditional woven bracelets, the girls made me signs and everything just seemed perfect. Until I opened my birthday letters from a book that my best friend, Lizzy, made me before I left on this incredible journey. The letters were incredible. I cried in my room reading each and every one from friends, family and teachers. It was the perfect reminder of why I am celebrating my 20th birthday with 62 new sons and daughters. I can't thank you enough, Lizzy, for that book. It brings tears to my eyes every time I open a page and read encouraging words from loved ones :] 

Just as I thought the day was coming to a close, dinner was served. As I finished eating my dinner, the Doctor got up from the table and left for a few minutes. I went to help Miguel find his walker and when I came back...the lights were off and everyone was signing happy birthday to me. My favorite blueberry cheesecake from the coffee shop we go to everyday was topped with 20 lit candles. The Doctor set the cake in front of me and said, "Make a Wish!" I started crying and blew out the candles. This Man, Saint, Doctor, Friend and Servant of God has changed my life in so many ways. The volunteers told me that it was all his idea...he bought the cake, got everyone together to sing and even had a bite of cake!!! (in 8 months I haven't seen him eat one sweet treat!) What an incredible moment. 

April 17th, 2012. The Best Birthday Ever. Not only did I get to celebrate my birthday with my 60 incredible children, The Saintly Doctor, great volunteers, a thoughtful staff, beautiful weather, a Peruvian breeze and cracked eggs....BUT WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY TOO :] The letters in my book reminded me why I am here, Lizzy and Ellen destroyed my facebook wall with a million birthday posts, I received birthday phone calls from family and heard from so many people wishing me a happy birthday  and a wonderful time in Peru. 

A great friend and volunteer, Katherine, asked me, "Did you ever imagine last year on your 19th birthday, you would be spending your 20th birthday in Peru?" The Answer, No! Last year on my 19th birthday, I had just had a falling out with my Dad. I was upset and missing my Mom who I had spent every previous birthday with. I was living in New York City and went to a famous fish market and made myself crab cakes with spring vegetables. I brought my lunch to Central Park and cried under the Cherry Blossoms. And this year...I cried because I don't think life could get any better. I have fallen in love with so many people and have so much to be thankful for. Life is so infinitely beautiful! :]

Thank you to everyone for an incredible birthday ;]

With Love and Smelly Egg Clothes, 

-Teaner