The Life-Changing Impact of a Birthday Cake
A birthday cake. I never could have imagined that something so seemingly inconsequential as a cake could have such impact.
She had come to our home seeking an English teacher, brought by a former student of ours. When she first walked through our door, she seemed to tower over us, but later we would realize it was just the sheer force of years of trying to appear strong.
She sat in our living room sharing her life story. It had not been easy, as was the case of many people her age. Growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution, she had suffered great pain and loss. She had not been beaten down by it but instead had become hardened and determined. It was clear from her demeanor that she was used to being in charge, and she commanded our attention for well over an hour. She was tough.
During the course of this first meeting with her, we learned that her birthday was coming soon. I made a mental note to make her a cake when she came the following week.
That day arrived. After she sat down on our couch, I went into our kitchen and brought out a cake, candles lit. My husband broke into a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”. Our new friend looked around confused as if to try and determine who was being celebrated. It was not until I set the cake down directly in front of her that she realized she was the reason for our singing!
Instantly, we saw a metamorphosis. Our friend’s steeled, hardened exterior cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. We were caught off guard. How could such a simple gesture mean so much?
In the years that followed, this new friend became like family to us. Whenever she was asked to share about her life, she would begin with the time she turned forty-three and was given her very first birthday cake.
When I first came to China, my heart was burning to share love and life through education. I had strategies on how I was going to accomplish this, but I was to learn that sometimes just living is all that is needed because where we put our hands, where we walk, even where we bake a cake… life comes.
