A Birthday Story Part II

While I was grading papers, Gabriela bounced back into class, smiling that bajillion-watt smile and jumping a little as she exclaimed, ¨We have a surprise for you!¨ I was urged to hurry up, Camilo helping me with my scattered papers, a letter I wrote during the test, and my glass of water.

They grabbed my arms, excitedly leading me to the next room. Upon my entrance to an empty classroom, all eight of my students yelled ¨HAPPY BIRTHDAY!¨ and began singing the birthday song, Spanish version style, while presenting me with a thick chocolate cake, a candle stuck into the middle. On the table was a huge spread of food, drinks, including coffee from a French press Daniela brought from home, and sandwiches that Maria-Jose made...egg salad for the others and avocado just for me. I slowly looked around at their faces, all so beautiful and so glowing, clapping and singing, such kindness presented that I could barely stand it.

Daniel came up to me with our textbook. ¨Here,¨ he said. ¨Here´s your present. It´s a book!¨ I replied ¨Oooooo, an English book, just what I always wanted!¨ and out fell an enormous chocolate bar from its pages. ¨Happy birthday,¨ he said, and hugged me. Gabriela bounced up and presented me with a beautiful brown paper package with a huge pink bow, and a smaller white little envelope.

Handing me the white one, she said, ¨This is symbolic.¨ In it I found three little peaches, formed from marzipan. ¨They´re peaches,¨ she told me, and I just looked at them in wonder. On perhaps my second week of teaching them, I mentioned I´d like to get a tattoo of a peach. Gabriela asked why, and I simply replied ¨It´s a symbol...of goodness.¨ That´s it. And a month later she remembered...she remembered better than most of my friends at home, than my boyfriend had, than others who have known me much longer. I wanted to cry.

In the larger package was a sparkly crimson scarf--perfect for hair-covering--and coconut incense, which we had discussed the week before.

We spent the party listening to the radio, spontaneously dancing, and me just basking in the glory of these beautiful beautiful people, who showed such kindness and grace to me the likes of which I have never seen. This, after I gave them a mid-term exam! ¨We did this because we want to show our love for you,¨ Maria-Jose said.

I hugged her, and felt all the warmth and hope of spring fill the classroom.