Tuesday, September 15, 2009

"Why is it called 'birthday?'"

Maya turned 6 today, and today was all "Happy Birthday" all the time! When I went into her room to wake her up this morning, before I could say a word, she announced, "I'm 6! I didn't sleep all night waiting to be six!" She celebrated at school with Mama coming to have lunch with her and bringing a yummy cookie cake to share with her class, and with Mimi & Grandpa by opening presents at their house and then going out to dinner, where the wait staff brought her cake and sang her "Happy Birthday. "

Driving home, Maya asked, "Why is it called 'birthday?'" I was surprised, since she'd asked the same question yesterday, and I explained it was the day she was born, and that another word for being born is "birth." (In fact, she and Zoe decided birthday should be renamed Born-Day!) I repeated the same explanation tonight.

"Oh," she said, "I thought it had somthing to do with 'birth mother.'"

LOL!! "Well, yes, birthday and birth mother both have the word 'birth' in them because you were born on that day and you were born from your birth mother, remember?"

Maya mumbled something I didn't catch from the back of the van, so I ventured a question: "Are you thinking about your birth mother today, sweetie?"

Maya replied, "Sort of . . . ."

"What are you thinking about," I ask?

Maya: "That she's happy I have a mom."

Awwww! I'm amazed at how different my kids are when it comes to adoption (when it comes to most things, actually!). Unlike Zoe, Maya doesn't really think much about her birth parents -- or at least she denies that she does. And when she does talk about them, she almost always turns it to emphasize her forever family. But I wasn't surprised to hear she was thinking about her birth mom today -- after all, birthdays are frequently a trigger for adoptees to do so.

And after all, I also think about my kids' birth moms on their birthdays. (Click here to read what I had to say to Maya's birth mom and foster mom on this day last year.)

9 comments:

Jeff and Madeline said...

Happy Birthday Maya! I am glad you got to have such a special day. You too Malinda!

holly said...

Happy Birthday to Maya!
You are an awesome Mom, Malinda :)

Yoli said...

Happy Birthday pretty girl! You are a great Mom.

Mi Hilo Rojo said...

Feliz Cumpleanos Maya!!!!
Blessings!

Hugs

Mei-Ling

Mei Lin and Lia's Mom

Anonymous said...

A belated happy birthday to Maya!

Sue, Maggie, and Meredith

Joanne said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Maya! Sounds like she had a fun day :) I love hearing about all of the questions and conversations you and your girls have, it really is helping so many of us for our future questions! Thanks!

Suzie said...

Happy "Born-day" Maya!!

Anonymous said...

That is too cute. Of course, it has something to do with birthmother! Happy belated Birthday to Maya.

Lisa said...

I love this sweet story. I am glad she had a wonderful day.