Cheers to Life, Cheers to Everyday

Time flies! It’s been two years since Bunso was diagnosed with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder and it happened 16 days before his fourth birthday. I already shared it through a blog post only last year when I felt that it was the right time. I also wouldn’t forget how we celebrated Bunso’s birthday then and it was only on this day that I was able to share it.

Our family is not used to celebrating birthdays or special occasions by throwing huge parties. Paps and I are not comfortable having these maybe because both of us belong to families that prefer intimate celebrations.

During Bunso’s fourth birthday, we prepared something simple that we thought would make him feel very special. We let Kuya plan the entire surprise simple birthday party not just because he insisted but also we wanted him to use his creativity to show his baby brother how he really cared.

On the day before the celebration, Kuya showed me the birthday card that he was making for Bunso. He was so excited to tell us that he started doing it during his free time in school and he would still do the finishing touches later. While he wasn’t looking, I asked Paps, “Did you tell him to do that?” Then Paps replied that he didn’t. How sweet of Kuya!

Kuya continued decorating the birthday card diligently. Right after finishing it, he handed it to me and said, “Mama, I know that Ice doesn’t know how to read yet. Will you keep this for me? When he knows how to read, can we show this to him?” I couldn’t help myself to cry while reading Kuya’s message and laughed out loud thereafter.

I hugged him and said, “Thank you, Kuya! You’re such a sweet brother. Ice will surely love and appreciate this. When the time comes that he knows how to read and understands what you mean, I am going to show this to him definitely."

The following day, I mentioned to Bunso upon waking up that it was his birthday and Paps and Kuya would have a surprise upon arrival in the afternoon. He patiently waited and he was very sad because Paps and Kuya went home late. His sadness faded away and he jumped with joy when he saw the small chocolate cake and Pancit Bilao that they were handling. We set up our dining table and prepared his “handa”, sang the Birthday Song, and ate together as a family. Bunso was very conscious with getting messy that was why he kept on wiping his face with Cheers, one of our most trusted and favorite tissue brands made of 100% virgin pulp, no artificial whiteners and elemental chlorine, truly hygienic and safe for my family. He also gave each a few pieces for wiping our mouths while eating. Moving on, while doing so, we could see in his eyes how happy he was! For a child who could barely talk and express his emotions, his smile was indeed priceless!

After the salu-salo, Kuya showed his first gift, a shape sorter, and Bunso opened the box quickly. He was so excited to play with it. When he felt bored, Kuya handed him his second gift, a ball. If Bunso was happy receiving his first gift, on this one he was more excited! He was not yet capable of expressing his gratitude and longing towards his brother and I was glad that Kuya didn’t wait anymore for his baby brother to say “Thank you” and initiated to play with him immediately without being told to do so.

I watched blissfully as my two boys played together with their Paps. I felt so proud of Kuya for doing the best of his ability to plan Bunso’s frugal birthday party and for making him happy despite not being sure how his brother would reciprocate the time and effort that he exerted in that thoughtfulness of his.

This happened two years ago. Kuya was nine that time. As days, months, and years passed, I realized that Kuya was digesting most if not all, the advice that Paps and I were giving him--- to make other people happy; being good, generous, understanding, and caring to others especially to his baby brother. We see a lot of improvements with Bunso and Kuya is the big factor in those milestones.

From that day on, living with a family member with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes very challenging everyday but we learn how to celebrate life not just during special occasions but anytime, everywhere daily. We appreciate simple things, joys, triumphs, milestones, blessings, and even trials that come our way. We believe that there is always beauty in everyday no matter how bad the situation it seems. We learn to be more patient, forgiving, understanding, and loving to one another. We become more generous of our time more than with material things especially with Bunso who needs it the most. 

Our family never lets the things that we can't, don't, or shouldn't have spoil the enjoyment of the things that we already have. We value our happiness and we always remember it. Life is worth living because we learn to be happy without the things that we can't or shouldn't have. . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmusings #love #happiness #simplejoys #blessing #family #instagood #instadaily #mommybloggersphilippines #momswhoblogph #certifiedbloggers #bloggersngpinas #pinayblogger #asianblogger

A photo posted by SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Apr 23, 2016 at 11:57am PDT

We extend our efforts in all aspects. We do our best to become the best version of ourselves. We are contented with what we have but never contented with who we are. Our family life is not perfect but we always see beauty in that imperfection. Oprah Winfrey once said, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” It’s happening. It’s so true. There is always a reason to have “Cheers to life, cheers to everyday!”