On celebrating my birthday as a widow, I couldn't help but still feel lonely. I had moved on but I hadn't gotten over the loss. Anyway... enough of the drama.
Birthdays are usually happy occasions celebrated with family and friends. As for me, birthdays have become opportunities for growth, regardless of age. By the way, I am now 57 years old.
I believe I am still learning—learning from both the young and the old. I continue to grow, hopefully in wisdom, knowledge, and in becoming a better mother and solo parent to my adult children.
Our usual birthday celebration, if not to spent with friends, is simply dining out with my family. This year, however, a different plan came together the night before my birthday. On very short notice, we booked a glamping trip at a beach in Calatagan, Batangas.
According to google maps, it was about a three-hour drive from our place. Because of errands and last minute preparations, it was already nighttime when we left. I was a little nervous during the trip as we passed through unfamiliar roads with very few lights, relying almost entirely on our screens to lead us to our destination.
Our usual birthday celebration, if not to spent with friends, is simply dining out with my family. This year, however, a different plan came together the night before my birthday. On very short notice, we booked a glamping trip at a beach in Calatagan, Batangas.
According to google maps, it was about a three-hour drive from our place. Because of errands and last minute preparations, it was already nighttime when we left. I was a little nervous during the trip as we passed through unfamiliar roads with very few lights, relying almost entirely on our screens to lead us to our destination.
Arriving in the Dark
We traveled in a convoy. I was with my youngest son and daughter. My eldest son came with his wife and two children, while my eldest daughter came with her husband. My sister and her family joined as well.
We arrived at around 10:00 in the evening. Although it was quite dark, with only a few lights above the dining area near the tents, I could already tell that the place was beautiful.
The staff served us a very late dinner, followed by a birthday song just about an hour before midnight.
The staff served us a very late dinner, followed by a birthday song just about an hour before midnight.
"Abot pa!"
After dinner, we gathered around a bonfire by the beach. The nearly four-hour trip had left everyone exhausted, so most of them chose to rest. I, however, stayed a little longer by the fire, quietly reflecting.
After dinner, we gathered around a bonfire by the beach. The nearly four-hour trip had left everyone exhausted, so most of them chose to rest. I, however, stayed a little longer by the fire, quietly reflecting.
Yes... I became emotional again.
The next morning, I finally saw the place in all its daytime beauty.
The next morning, I finally saw the place in all its daytime beauty.
Expectation vs. Reality
But here comes the best part of the story. The experience was not quite the glamorous camping we had expected.
Two tents had been prepared for our group of nine adults and four children, ages ages ten, seven, two and a three-month old baby. There were no lamps inside the tents. so it was a good thing we had brought one. The other tent had none at all. There were also no electrical outlets anywhere for charging our cellphones or laptops.
Since we had experience glamping elsewhere before, I couldn't help but compare.
To top it all off, my youngest daughter, Yeye, became frustrated with the comfort rooms and bathrooms, which were a five-minute walk from our tents. They had bamboo exteriors, concrete interiors, small toilet bowls without flushing systems, and no showers.
To top it all off, my youngest daughter, Yeye, became frustrated with the comfort rooms and bathrooms, which were a five-minute walk from our tents. They had bamboo exteriors, concrete interiors, small toilet bowls without flushing systems, and no showers.
But, I have to emphasize one important thing: they were clean.
A Mother at Work
Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me continue. On my two-day birthday celebration, I found myself being a mother at work.
Ironically, what seemed to be the inconvenience of the trip became the most meaningful part of it.
Beyond the white sand, the clear water, and the peaceful surroundings, I deeply appreciated that the experience wasn't truly glamorous. Whether intentional or not, it carried a lesson. I looked at my youngest daughter and reminded her:
“You have lived a comfortable life, Yeye. Sometimes, we need to learn to appreciate simple things, even when they are inconvenient. Learning to live with discomfort teaches us sacrifice. In the end, we become more grateful because, despite the inconvenience, those simple things still serve their purpose.”
Sometimes we simply need to step out of our comfort zones and remember that life can be difficult...
...but God is good.
At first, she insisted she would just wait until we got home before taking a bath. But yes, she eventually used the bathroom!Before we left the place, my youngest son, Tenten, surprised me by playing a video filled with birthday greetings from my young friends, friends my age, my siblings, and their families.
I literally cried.
It was indeed a happy birthday for me!
It was indeed a happy birthday for me!
