“Happy Birthday.” “Happy Birthday.” Happy Birthday.” It seemed as though every few moments someone was throwing those two words at me with little regard to what they are suppose to mean. The words bounced off me as I sat on the swing on my back patio. My father died a couple of years earlier and I had been trying to be the man of the household ever since. I have no siblings so it was all up to me to take care of my mom and to be the best son I could. I was in my backyard and my younger cousins were crawling, drooling, and stammering around me. I am the oldest of all the cousins and had to set a mature example. Their constant crying and pleas for my attention mixed with my rising feelings of aggravation in the 90-degree weather was not helping me take my mind off the situation. Just as I felt myself getting ready to tell them all how Santa Claus is just their mom and dad when they go to sleep, I pondered the thought of my classmates arriving and decided that my time was better spent sitting next to my front door. They were the only ones that could possibly salvage what was left of my 9th birthday.
Everything was wrong about this party. It was my first time having a birthday party, but suddenly I understood why I never had one before. The mismatched tablecloths and metal chairs clanging next to each other with the balloons haphazardly taped to the garage and tables made my head hurt. I thought I could not be more clear when I told my mom that I do not like balloons. I wished I could say that I would make sure it would not happen again, but I did not think there was going to be a next time. Every time they swayed in the wind or rubbed against a passerby’s pants it created a knot in my throat and I prepared my ears for the inevitable...
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...ew years following our great loss. I came to realize that my mom did give up a lot for me. She worked two jobs and cooked all of the food herself because she wanted this day to be special for me. She spent a great deal of her time getting everything ready for the party. I sat up and wiped the tears from my eyes. I hugged my mom and never wanted her to leave this world like my father did. I thanked her for her apology and told her I was sorry also. Her and I walked out of my room with my piece of cake in hand and I sat with the rest of the family. In that moment I understood that my time with my family is something I should value. They came on their day off of work and decided to wish me a happy birthday. As I placed a forkful of chocolate cake, which is my favorite, into my mouth I savored the taste of the creamy chocolate frosting, the moist cake, and the moment.
It was a few days before I left for school and my best friend, Kate, was throwing a good-bye party for our group of friends. I was so excited for this bash seeing that it would be the last time our group would be together for a while. It was a time for all of us to move on and embark upon futures that held so much for all of us, and to say farewell to the people and memories that had shaped us.
I, of course, knew my mother as a mother. As I have reached adulthood and become a mother myself, I have also known her as a friend. My mom shared much of herself with me, and I saw sides of my mother as she struggled with her cancer that I had never seen before, especially her strong belief in positive thinking and the importance of quality of life. I was privileged to know so many facets of my mother, but certainly I did not know all. There were parts of her life that I didn’t see, relationships that I didn’t know about. Last night, at the wake, so many stories were told to me about my mom’s strength, courage, humor, kindness, her quietness, her loyalty as a friend. It was so special to hear of these things that my mom said and did, to know some of these other parts of her life. I hope that her friends and family will continue to share these stories with me and with each other so we can continue to know and remember my mom.
Lizza, Ryan. "The Party Next Time." 19 November 2012. The New Yorker. Web. 22 March 2014.
“Ding”, the bell had just come alive with a mighty ring, ending the last day of school. I began shoveling the materials from my trainwreck of a locker into my bag when a close friend of mine approached me. She began bragging about the birthday party she was planning. Her arrogance annoyed me because she did not invite me, claiming that I wouldn’t know anybody. Honestly, she probably was scared of what I would do to her reputation. All she ever thought about was herself, with no regard for others. This wasn’t the first time it happened, and this pattern began to anger me, I deserved better. And that is when I decided I didn’t need her, I left her to live her own life. I felt as free as a bird but she was left alone like Scrooge. My friend
In 2008, Prop 2 in California was supported by groups such as the HSUS and other groups. Prop 2 has enforced “… Packer/processors, grain producers, suppliers and those in the business of selling food, must recognize this, the organization focuses on different types of animals, such as: dolphins, whales, cats and dogs (Lovvorn & Perry, 2009).” Prop 2 was a law concerning animal holdings. It declared that animal holdings, such as cages, must be large enough for the animals to have room to extend their legs, move around, and not be cramped.. The Humane Society of United States and PETA supported the organizations to inform the people on the sidelines about the different tactics one could take to save the animals. The Humane Society of United States used the ability to spy as a tactic. Therefore the organization used a small pen sized video camera. In the The Barnyard Strategist, “The HSUS released the video in San Bernardino County, district attorney, the story made national headlines.” This can be related to the movie we watched in class “The Cove,” in which a group of men broke into a slaughterhouse of dolphins and whales to catch the ones who were slaughtering the animals. They did not know about the cameras. This helped provide footage to show how the animals were actually treated. The HSUS used merging different organizations such as the smaller animal welfare groups together, this was able to help the organization increase their money to help the company be able to inform others about animal abuse. Pacelle’s strategy consisted of creating a ballot measure that will allow those who are vegetarian and vegan to help reform the ballots. They use media to help get their point across by using a male who is vegetarian who strokes...
There has long been argument over whether genetic modification holds the key to our future as a species, or if the risks and downsides of genetic modification outweigh all of the possible rewards . There have been an uncountable number of papers written on the subject, arguing both for and against. Ronald M. Green's article “Building Baby from the Genes Up” argues that genetic modification has many possible benefits to the human race, such as preventing deadly diseases, and eliminating fears that genetic modification would lead to the creation of a selective “master race” where babies are hand picked to be doctors and athletes by their parents. In contrast to Green is Richard Hayes' article “Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks.” in which Hayes disagrees with Green, saying that genetic modification would no doubt lead to hand picked “designer” babies, which would destroy the free will and futures of children who were born into their destiny. Hayes' final point, saying that although it is a good thing to use genetic modification to eliminate diseases such and cancer and obesity, we shouldn't go any further than that when it comes to messing with the genes of unborn babies. Although both authors make some great points in their essays, Green definitely makes the stronger more persuasive argument than Hayes, who basically just gives his opinion without backing it up with anything.
But it only took a little while for people to finish indulging in the food. Now it was “cake time!” As my cousin Hannah would say. She was right it was time for my birthday cake with a plastic Elmo piece sticking out the top that smiled all the time. On the cake were multi colored dots, front and center were the words Riley’s first Birthday was in cursive icing with the candle shaped one and the yellow dancing spot floating on top of the number. Then all I heard was everybody together saying “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Riley, happy birthday to you.” Not paying attention to what they were saying I was staring down the colorful, shape filled, mesmerizing cake, then my focus was broken. When my mama said “Are you ready to blow out your candle sweetie?” Whoosh was the noise my mama’s mouth made, and then the yellow dancing dot was
It was my birthday and mom had planned for me to go to Six Flags. My birthday is March 21st, it was spring, so it was getting hot outside. I didn’t like it but why not go to Six Flags on a hot and sunny day. I brought some of my friends with me because who wants to be at Six Flags with no one at Six Flags with you. I brought a friend from school named Jeremiah and my cousin named Jeremy. Jeremy slept over at my house and
When a wife surprises her husband on his birthday, an ironic turn of events occurs. Katherine Brush’s “The Birthday Party” is a short story about relationships, told from the perspective of a nearby observer. Brush uses the words and actions of the married couple to assert that a relationship based on selfishness is weak.
You’re dreaming and you see your birthday from last year. You see the giant feast your mom made. Creamy mashed potatoes, just the way you like it, juicy roasted chicken with your favorite seasonings, and little green peas, your favorite. A giant mountain of gifts awaits you in the living room, and after that grand meal a giant cake with two tiers with just the right amount of frosting is next. As you start to take a bite, you wake up. For a split second you forget. You forget that your dad lost his job, your brother died working in a mine, you have no money, no food, and that you nearly lost your entire head of hair at the factory. Then the deep growl howling from your stomach snaps you back
All the people around me were excited and were in a very festive mood; and they all were perfectly allowed to do so. After all, it was the Fourth of July, Independence Day, and my birthday. I had a very pleasant feeling as I strolled through the row of tents at the beach with my friends by my side, as I observed countless people enjoying themselves under the summer sun in the commotion of the small festival. The city was quite festive – decorated by splashes of red, white, and blue everywhere. People occasionally wore a plastic Uncle Sam’s hat, wore patriotic boardshorts, or somehow showed off how American they were proud to be. It was a wonderful feeling and it was by far the best birthday that
I can remember October 25th like it was yesterday. I had just finished applying the final touches to my halloween costume for the party next door that was put together for the homeschoolers. I was Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds. I had waved my parent’s Goodbye as I put on my red sparkly headband. When I walked out the door I was immediately cold. As most girls know, it is not how warm you are in your costume that matters, it is how adorable you look in it that makes up for your goosebumps. I walked next door to the very familiar brickhouse. I had lived here since I was 6 and was now 12 years old. As I walked onto the neighbor's yard I began to see many ordinary faces. All the people in my homeschool group were very loyal. I had been apart
It was a day of eager anticipation. It was a day of last-minute planning. It was the day before my fourteenth birthday. I had been looking forward to the party for at least two months. Everything was accounted for: balloons, Super Soakers, and music. There would be a barbeque of magnificent proportions. Miraculously, everyone had read the RSVP deadline and called in a week ahead of schedule. An enormous ice cream cake was to be delivered with eight large pepperoni pizzas. Needless to say, I was excited. It was to be my first party at our new house. I helped cook the enormous array of snack foods. I eventually surrendered to the temptation and stole a few strips of marinated steak when my mom wasn't looking. I had gone to bed that night with dreams of family, friends, and possibly a new stereo system.
"Happy Birthday", my mom screamed out and scared me the morning of June 9. But it was surprising and nice of her since she wished me before anyone else. It was my eighteen birthday and it was my day. While looking out the big windows in my room, I thought to myself, I will do what satisfies me today, but wasn't quite sure what? I didn’t receive any calls from my friends, or other relatives. Nobody was home either besides my mom with whom I can’t make plans because she got her own work to do. It depressed me because it seemed like this was going to be one boring eighteen birthday.
It was December 4, 2014 and it was snowing outside. I was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework. All my family was downstairs, so I was all alone. My English teacher told us to write a paper about how I am different from my classmates. I was thinking about what in my life makes me different and slowly my whole life was playing like a movie in my head. The first memory that popped into my head was my fourth birthday party. It was supposed to be the best birthday ever. My dad was going to come. It was February 24, 2002 at my birthday party. There were so many people there, but I was so focused on my dad coming, no one else seemed to matter. My cake was pink and yellow with a bicycle on it. I had a red and blue inflatable that kids were