May 5, 2009

Last week, Maria, a little girl who leave catty-corner to me, stopped by my house to inform me that she was turning 10 on Friday, May 1. She also bragged that her mother was going to buy a cake for her to pass out amongst her classmates and that she was going to save a piece for me! Several days later, Maris found it prudent to remind me her birthday was coming up. In case I had forgotten.

I kept an eye out for Maria all weekend, but she never stopped by. Then, today, I saw her mother and asked her how the birthday celebrations went. Her mother informed me that they couldn't´t afford to buy a birthday cake or presents for Maria, despite the fact that Maria had already informed all her friends that she would get one. Maria spent the whole day crying.

I felt so sad for Maria, so I asked her mother if it was ok if I baked a cake with Maria for her birthday. Her mother agreed to send Maria to my house after she had finished her homework. A few hours later, Maria arrived at my doorstep. When I informed her that we were going to bake her a cake, her whole face lit up. She told me that this would be her first birthday cake EVER!!!! Together, we made (from scratch) a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, decorated with TONS of sprinkles, and topped it with a candle. It turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself! I must say, it was pretty rewarding. Sometimes I don't always feel like I am making much of a difference, or if what I do even matters. But today I gave a little girl her first birthday cake. That must count for something!