251 Ate Donela Celebrates with Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders Kids

Written by Sponsor, Donela Tan

Months before my 21st birthday, I planned something quite grand. I’m finally turning 21! I can go wherever I want, do whatever I want, without any age restrictions. I planned on grabbing some drinks with some friends and cousins the night before my birthday and head on straight to a casino by midnight to try my luck since it was my birthday. Somehow, I just kept telling myself that I want that. But I did feel I wanted something more. I just shrugged and thought “What would be a better celebration for my 21st than that?!”

A few weeks before my birthday, I recalled my nephew, Lance. He was special. Then he was diagnosed with cancer. After almost two years of battling cancer, he died 10 days before his birthday. That happened a few years ago, but I can never forget how he looked in the hospital. Then I realized what I wanted to do for my birthday. I wanted to reach out to kids. Kids who are special/extraordinary/unique/rare. I contacted a friend who referred me to U! Happy Events. I never knew there would be an organization who’d partner kids with sponsors, so, good job, guys!

So there, a few weeks before my birthday, I decided I’d want to throw a kiddie party. Yep, my 21st birthday celebration is a kiddie party. It’d sound a bit immature, but wait, it’s a kiddie party for the kids of PSOD. I mean, I spent the last 20 birthdays with people making me happy, giving gifts, etc. Now, starting with this birthday, I’m turning the tables. I’m going to be the one to make others (in this case, kids) happy. I’m going to be the one giving gifts.

On the day of the party, I was honestly nervous. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never done anything like this before. And I don’t do well with crowds. Plus, what if the kids don’t like me?! It might sound funny, but it sure is a serious concern to me.

Well, the kids really did change that. They were so happy and they kept smiling. Jitters gone! While I was watching them play, laugh, dance and run around, I thought to myself “These kids right here. They’re much stronger than us. They may have something weighing on them, but look at them, laughing, playing, running, dancing… Being kids! I bet if I (or you) were put in their situation, I don’t think I can manage to do the same thing.” and the look on their eyes, amazing. It was the type of happiness that rubs off on you. It did on me. The kids, I only met them that day, but they showed me what real strength is, and they made me truly happy on my birthday just by being happy themselves. Amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling.

So yeah, deciding to celebrate this way is one of the bestest ideas I ever had in my 21years and several days of existence. I wanted something quite grand, I got something REALLY grand. 🙂