Birthday Cake at the Office

by Imelda
(Somewhere in Los Angeles)

Random acts of kindness and the birthday cake at the office. When I turned 21, many years ago, I was at my desk working. I looked up when I heard the Happy Birthday song. I saw several of my coworkers walking toward me while holding a cake with candles all lit up.




Never before in my entire life had I had a birthday cake, much less candles and song. At home there were 9 of us, brothers and sisters, so my parents didn't really celebrate birthdays at all.

My office mates had no clue of how big a deal their gesture was for me. They were all laughing and making jokes. I didn't want to tell them the storm that was taking place inside my heart. I just laughed and hugged them back.

And then I told them. We all cried, laughed and ate cake.

Those moments and the lessons I learned have stayed with me all this time.

That day I learned that sometimes we give without realizing how big a deal the gift can be for the person receiving it.

I also realized that the giving is the start of a cycle, and that as a receiver you can bring it to closure by letting the giver know how much the gift means to you, how much you really appreciate the gift.

I know may givers don't expect appreciation in return, but even if they don't, why not give it?


Imelda