The Birthday Card

It was many years ago when I received the birthday card that I hold in my hands today. How I loved that card as a nine year old. Glossy and sepia toned in the shape of a nine the card brings back such happy memories. As I look at it, I see a side view photo of a pretty little girl, about nine years old, embossed onto the card. I run my fingers over the embossing and notice that she is smiling lovingly down at a doll that she is cradling in her lap. I remember wishing that the little girl was me. I loved her pale green dress smocked across the bodice and her short brown hair parted to one side and fastened with a tortoiseshell hair clip. As I turn the card over, I see my mother’s beautiful cursive handwriting. “With Love and Best Wishes on your 9th Birthday- Mum and Dad” and my mind rapidly travels back to that day.

Birthdays took such a long time to come around when I was young and I was very excited about this one as I was allowed to invite school friends to my party. I was up at the crack of dawn waiting for my parents to wake up. The anticipation of receiving a present was almost too much to bear and I tried to amuse myself by reading, but the thrill ahead of me was so distracting that I could not concentrate. It seemed as if my parents would never wake up.

When they finally appeared, I saw a parcel wrapped in brightly coloured paper and tried to imagine the contents. After kisses and hugs from my parents, at last I had the present and my card in my hands. I loved the card but was impatient to find out what lay hidden behind the paper. I carefully undid the green ribbon around the paper. Paper was much prized in those days and I would carefully fold the paper keeping it in a safe place to admire from time to time. At long last my hands and eyes coveted a beautiful brown leather purse. It was just like a ladies purse, only child size. I was beside myself with happiness and joy as I discovered its secrets. It had a long shoulder strap and closed with a golden clip. The inside was lined with satin and my mother had hidden a shilling and a little pink handkerchief in a small compartment. I felt so grown-up and important as I paraded around the kitchen with the purse carefully slung over my shoulder. It was the very best present ever.

The school day dragged as I anticipated the party and more presents. I was consoled with fanciful thoughts of their contents. Would I get some coloured pencils, a rubber, a pencil case, a book in which to write stories or an Enid Blyton book? The possibilities were endless and consumed much of my day. My mother meanwhile was busy cooking while my father was set the task of preparing the garage for the party during his lunch hour.

A birthday party in the corrugated iron garage with little streaks of light peeping through nail holes would not do for children of today, but for me I could not have been happier. Oh so delicious party food set out on a make- shift table. Paper tablecloth, colourful serviettes, balloons and crepe paper streamers delighted my nine year old eyes. My mother had excelled with her cooking. The one thing that stands out in my memory is her little pastry boats filled with stewed apple and set off with a dab of fresh cream. They were delicious but I must confess that it was the only time that these pastry boats ever appeared on our menu.

The birthday cake also made a great impression on my young mind. The masterpiece of the party appeared at the end of the most wonderful day. Little squealing girls ogled the chocolate icing covering the cake, decorated with hundreds and thousands and sporting nine pink coloured candles. Mother lit the candles and, as I blew them out, everyone sang “Happy Birthday”. As I sank my teeth into the marble cake of swirling chocolate, pink and white colours, my life could not be happier and, needless to say, my tummy more full.

What a wonderful memory jog, is that birthday card which is kept in a favourite photo album. With words lovingly written by my mother, and still looking as fresh as the day I received it, I will always treasure that, oh so special, shiny nine-shaped birthday card and party.