Sunday, October 31, 2021

Silas Turns Six

Birthday party #1
Dear Silas,

Well, your 6th birthday was one to remember! You enjoyed not only one party, but two. And due to extenuating circumstances, we broke from tradition and did both a "real" party and a family one! For a boy who loves birthdays, we may never top this year in your book. But as always, we hope you felt loved and seen and celebrated in this month of October that God sent us you.

The reason we did a "real" party on your birthday had a lot to do with the kids in this picture. We tried to explain it to you although you may not have truly understood, but five of your guests were from one big Venezuelan family that moved to Iquique not long ago. In fact, one of the little girls was just passing through on her way to yet another place with her parents. They are a family that lost their original home because their country is going through a very hard time, and where they live here in Iquique is not a very nice place. Everyone lives together in little cramped rooms, and the children do not have a yard or patio in which to play. For this reason, we thought it would be nice to invite them so they would have a time and place just to have fun. Tia Solange kindly let us use her house where a trampoline was set up in the front patio and balloons, tables and chairs lined the carport.


In fact, a few days earlier Tia Solange also went with Mommy to the big Agro in search of all the trappings and treats for your party. Birthday parties in Chile have certain important traditions, such as balloons, cake, take-home containers for cake, piñata, candy to fill the piñata, bags to collect the candy from the piñata, decorative plates, candy to fill each child's decorative plate, guest gift boxes, candy and soda and salty snacks to fill guest gift boxes. Good thing Tia Solange knew! She loves you and we always remember gratefully that she was on shift in the operating room the day you were born.


I hope you know, too, that you have the BEST big brothers. I love this picture of the three of them patiently hanging out while waiting for your party to start. Ian came early with us to blow up LOTS of balloons. All the boys helped carry chairs and even collect piñata candy for the babies. There wasn't a whole lot for them to do because the trampoline company only allowed smaller children to jump, but Owen, Ian and Alec still showed up to celebrate you!



Of course, Daddy also was a great help as our chauffeur who picked up cake and pizza and people and then got everyone home again! When the time came to sing Happy Birthday, he prayed for you and your life. We wanted our guests to know that God is so very important in all of our lives, and every birthday we celebrate is because of His goodness and grace! Around this time, four more friends arrived to your party and we were so happy to have Tia Carola and Maya, Tia Luisa and Meme with us for your birthday. They are very special to our family.


You were so eager to open your gifts, but to your chagrin Mommy kept trying to hold you off until after your guests went home. You may not have understood why at the time, but knowing the reduced circumstances of the other children I wanted to be sensitive to their feelings and I encouraged you to hand out the gift boxes to them instead. I do like this tradition of giving to birthday guests because hopefully it helps teach generosity!

Birthday party #2

Silas, your second birthday party was at home when the Fishers returned from their travels and Aunt Terri could make you her promised multi-layer banana cake with cream cheese frosting once again. You are much loved by your aunt, uncle, cousins and also Tia Cata who joined us for our family festivities! Your favorite #6 balloon was recycled for this celebration and your brothers and friends graciously played repeated rounds of your new games with you, including the crazy monkey game that had players shrieking and laughing! 


Happy 6th Birthday, Silas Eben Garcia! We are so glad God sent you to our family and pray that you will continue to have a sensitive heart to His Word. I cherish your enthusiasm to read your Bible stories nightly and to sing songs about Jesus. May each new birthday allow you to grow in your knowledge of Him and may you follow Him your whole life long. We love you!

All my love,
Mommy
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