Celebrating Life’s Joys: The Heartwarming Story Of A Birthday Surprise
In Response to Dancing Elephants Prompt 5 of Life Column
There are many events in my life that I have cherished and that have brought me tremendous Happiness. I have also believed in expressing my gratitude for the good things in life.
As Denis Waitley said, ‘Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.’
I’ve been fortunate to have a wonderful childhood, thanks to my parents, who provided for me and instilled values that have shaped me into a self-reliant, honest, and hardworking individual. Their encouragement to explore, support others, and stay focused has been invaluable. I’ve always felt blessed for the abundance in my life, even during tough times.
One recent event that stands out is my 65th birthday celebration. I had an important client meeting in Chennai on that day. My husband, son, and his spouse surprised me by joining me in Chennai.
As a family, we have always enjoyed driving long distances. My son decided we should all drive to Chennai.
They arranged a stay at a lovely hotel in Chennai and ensured a birthday cake made with my favorite ingredients was waiting in our room.
Seeing the room decorated and the cake awaiting me brought tears of joy and gratitude to my eyes. Despite their busy schedules, my son and his spouse took the time to make my day special. I hugged them tightly, expressing my heartfelt thanks for their thoughtful gesture.
As William Arthur Ward once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
So, I embraced them warmly as a token of my appreciation for making my day unforgettable.
They even booked a table at my favorite restaurant for lunch, adding another layer of joy to the celebration.
Embracing the joy of Gratitude
In summary, this heartwarming birthday surprise from my son and his spouse reminded me of the immense Happiness that comes from expressing gratitude for the love and thoughtfulness of others.
My friends and relatives were quick to join in the birthday celebrations. Cousins and friends reached out with warm wishes, which I truly appreciated.
Their effort to remember my special day and take the time to send their greetings meant a lot to me.
The day after returning from Chennai, my building friends stopped by to share birthday hugs, showing their thoughtfulness and affection.
Their gestures touched my heart deeply. Mere words of thanks didn’t seem enough, so yesterday, I hosted a small gathering and invited all my friends.
I took care to prepare dishes that each of them enjoyed, wanting to express my gratitude in a meaningful way. The joy this brought me was immeasurable.
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust
Thank youDr. Preeti Singh for this amazing prompt that inspired me to share my story.
Interesting stories that I read and enjoyed
Warren Brown story
Libby Shively McAvoy story
Published and enjoyed by Annelise Lords
