This week was my daughter's birthday. Being the extroverted, fun-loving, child she is, she had been looking forward to a party with all her friends since Christmas. But with all that is going on in our nation and in our world, that was not possible. So we talked about it: as we ate lunch together, we talked about why we wouldn't be seeing our friends for a few weeks and why we didn't have money to get her a bigger bike. She was disappointed but also understanding. She's a good kid.
So in order to make her birthday a little special, I wanted to do the little things I know she loves: like flowers, which are not in bloom here yet in PA, so we picked some up at the store. And making cupcakes, which she has been asking to do for a while. Y'all, I've never made cupcakes from scratch before--especially not gluten-free ones. I have friends who love baking and who make beautiful cakes for their kids' birthdays all the time. But I found a reasonable recipe and we had fun picking out liners, candles, and sprinkles at the store. And I was pretty proud at how my cupcakes tasted...until I went to make the icing--and all I ended up with was a curdled mess. (Thank God for MIL's who know how to whip up cream cheese icing in a pinch!) When I placed the not-so-Pinterest-worthy cupcakes in front of my daughter her eyes went wide and she said, "These are the most beautiful cupcakes ever!" I wanted to cry. I wanted to hug her and say I wish I was a better baker and I wish her cupcakes looked like the ones in my head. I wanted to cry on her little shoulder and tell her how much I loved how grateful her little heart was; that all she really wanted was this moment, surrounded by her family, with crooked cupcakes and droopy icing, and tiny candles to blow out.
As I tucked her into bed that night, I asked her if she had a good birthday. Her big, brown eyes twinkled. We had been together, making, baking, and playing and that is all that really mattered to my little girl's heart.
Oh Lord, may I be as grateful for the little things as my child. May I enjoy the presence of my family and friends, even and especially in the seemingly mundane moments. May my eyes widen at every sunrise and every rainy day and declare it to be the most beautiful day ever!
So in order to make her birthday a little special, I wanted to do the little things I know she loves: like flowers, which are not in bloom here yet in PA, so we picked some up at the store. And making cupcakes, which she has been asking to do for a while. Y'all, I've never made cupcakes from scratch before--especially not gluten-free ones. I have friends who love baking and who make beautiful cakes for their kids' birthdays all the time. But I found a reasonable recipe and we had fun picking out liners, candles, and sprinkles at the store. And I was pretty proud at how my cupcakes tasted...until I went to make the icing--and all I ended up with was a curdled mess. (Thank God for MIL's who know how to whip up cream cheese icing in a pinch!) When I placed the not-so-Pinterest-worthy cupcakes in front of my daughter her eyes went wide and she said, "These are the most beautiful cupcakes ever!" I wanted to cry. I wanted to hug her and say I wish I was a better baker and I wish her cupcakes looked like the ones in my head. I wanted to cry on her little shoulder and tell her how much I loved how grateful her little heart was; that all she really wanted was this moment, surrounded by her family, with crooked cupcakes and droopy icing, and tiny candles to blow out.As I tucked her into bed that night, I asked her if she had a good birthday. Her big, brown eyes twinkled. We had been together, making, baking, and playing and that is all that really mattered to my little girl's heart.
Oh Lord, may I be as grateful for the little things as my child. May I enjoy the presence of my family and friends, even and especially in the seemingly mundane moments. May my eyes widen at every sunrise and every rainy day and declare it to be the most beautiful day ever!
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