Chayo turned 13 this week. She is one of our god-daughters. We had a family celebration at her Aunt Rosa’s with roasted turkey, fried rice and a giant Bubulubu birthday cake (it’s more fun to say “bubulubu” than to read it). In Mexico, a Bubulubu is kind of junk-food cake like a Twinkie but it has either strawberries or pineapples covered in chocolate. 

All week, Chayo has been anticipating her birthday. During mass, prior to her party, she was so antsy, her eyes shining and twinkling, her patience strained. A couple of times she said “Amen” a little too loud before a prayer was over.  I took it all in, this shimmering, happy anticipation. It was infectious.

Children have this ability to experience joy in anticipation. As adults we often forget how to do that, but if you can remember waiting for Christmas or a birthday and claim that back with a child’s joy this makes the fulfillment of wishes all the better. Let us anticipate with excitement all things lying ahead of us!