Birthday Surprise in Turkey

by Masyitah
(Turkey)

The year I was turning 18, I wasn’t sure if my parents would even hold me a birthday. Times had been very tough for my family that year. Although our family had enjoyed throwing elaborate birthday celebrations in the past, this year had been tumultuous, to say the least!

There had been considerable pressure in our area from opposing groups. Many muslims don’t believe in celebrating a birthday, but since my family is Catholic, that isn’t a problem for us.

As my birthday approached, I began to get a bit disappointed. My family hadn’t said a word about a celebration, hadn’t asked me what I would like for a present. I was beginning to suspect the worst.

On my birthday, my mother woke me up and served me my favorite breakfast of su böregi, a Turkish pastry made of many layers. I knew she had put a lot of work into it and had woken up very early to cook it. I thought that was my whole birthday celebration.

However, I was happily mistaken!

Around noontime, family members began arriving. Then many of my friends showed up as well! They were all there to celebrate my birthday. My parents had even made a birthday cake. I was so happy and surprised to see all my friends, that I didn’t even have time to be sad that no one had purchased me a gift ... times were tough.

But I knew more than ever before that family and friends are what’s important. My family presented me with a cake and sang me, “Mutlu Yillar Sana” the Turkish equivalent of “Happy Birthday”

The cake was beautiful, and even had a cartoon picture of me on the front of it. It's a birthday I will never forget!