Kikita here. I am hijacking the blog in order to write a properly effusive "Happy Birthday" post for this particular birthday.
Yes, birthday. When I was growing up, this person (the one who's birthday it is) used to tell me how she always thought her birthday was May 20th because there were always big celebrations and fireworks. Now that she's older, I think she's learned the truth. 😉
It seems she's always sharing her birthday with something. If it's not Cuban Independence Day, it's Disneyland (she'll hate me for this, but she is as old as Disneyland so when Disney celebrates a big birthday, so does she), or (in today's case) Cuban Solidarity Day.
PLUS, the new Indiana Jones will be playing at midnight (which will make the official end of her actual birthday, but that's not important right now) and she has uber-geek tendencies when it comes to Indiana Jones.
I swear, I have a point.
I just think that it was by some awesome grand design that this person was born today and gets to share her day with so many other major and memorable events. She is always so willing to share. It is HER birthday, but I bet she'll treat for the movies. It is HER birthday, but I bet she'll try to cook us dinner. She is almost impossible to surprise because she is always so busy serving others and being selfless.
She gives freely of herself even when she doesn't have much to give. She's the type that will take off a bracelet that she loves and give it to a friend because she knows how much they love it.
When we were in Miami and she was a quasi-celebrity (little "c" of course), she couldn't help but care about everyone around her. She started with the natural mothering thing. She would tell anyone they need to drink water if they look dehydrated to her, I think she even sent someone home from CN to take a shower and a nap, "So you'll feel better."
I know, sometimes it may sound kind of bossy, but it's just that her heart is so big and she knows in her know-er what's best for us. So I find myself thinking, "One day when I grow up, I want to be like that . . ."
Anyway, in my opinion, birthdays are about saying, "I'm so glad you were born. I'm grateful for you."
And I know there are so many other things going on in the world today and I know she won't mind sharing her birthday with United Cubans and Indiana Jones, but I just want to say:
Mom, I'm so grateful for you. You are the reason I am who I am today. I couldn't have gotten this far without you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you!
P.S. What's for dinner? 😉
What a beautiful tribute from a beautiful daughter! Marti: felicidades en tu dia, wishing you a wonderful birthday alongside your amazing family (both in personal and in the cyber-world!). May this year bring all you wish for, including the one: CAMBIO.Happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MARTA…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…
May your day be filled with much love and joy
surrounded by those you love the most. And hearing
from those that know you just through your words, like me. 😉
Have a blessed day!!!!
Kikita, thanks for honoring your mom. Your a blessing.
“She gives freely of herself even when she doesn’t have much to give. She’s the type that will take off a bracelet that she loves and give it to a friend because she knows how much they love it.”Yup, I can vouch for that. I love my new bracelet! 😉
Happy birthday, Marti! Love you!!!!
(BTW, great post Kikita.)
Beautiful tribute to your awesome mom, Amy!HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARTA!!! Many hugs and good wishes for today and always.
P.S. Amy – I love your outfit in that pic! Where did you get the adorable tank top??
Balou,My Mom made it for me. =D
Hippo birdies, two ewes!Feliz compleanos!
You may be a celebrity with a little ‘c’, but you are a friend with a capital F!
Have a lovely day!
xoxoxo
Happy birthday, Mrs. Darby!! :]
Happy birthday!
What?!?!? I did not know this. I would have put a cigar on a pastelito de guayaba and sang The Bayamesa on Sunday in honor of one of the coolest, most eloquent, most bestest, most compassionate, most cheeriest -my Lord,-she’s like a Cuban Mary Poppins!-people I know! Happy Birthday, Marta!Rei.
You turned 21 years young, correct?
Felicidades Marta!Que lindo homenaje te ha escrito la nueva Kikita!
Happy Birthdayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!
Muchos carinos desde Colorado!
I am new to your blog (I stumbled onto it as I was shopping around for Cuban cookbooks)and what better day for it right? Hoppy Bersday (as my parents would say)!!! And congratulations on a wonderful blog. I too am Cuban American and after reading tons of your entries, I feel as though I know you and your family. I think most of us Cubans are quite alike when it comes to families. Thank you for sharing yours!
What a beautiful way to honor your mom on her special day, Kikita. Wishing you a great birthday, Marta!! Enjoy Indiana Jones!
Happy Birthday to a dear friend I don’t see nearly enough.XOXO
Kristen
Happy Birthday Marta!!!It was a plesure to meet you and the “kids” at Cuba Nostalgia.
Next recipe please.
Feliz Cumpleanos!I hope you have the most spectacular birthday ever! You are a treasure and never is that more evident than seen through the eyes of your children.
Lucky children and lucky mami!
Con mucho carino,
N
Felicidades, Marta! Que lo pases super bien!
Happy Birthday Marta! It was great to meet you at Cuba Nostalgia along with your kids. Have a wonderful celebration.Maria P.
Little Hammer!Apio Verde eres tu!
Have a great day – glad you are home.
Let’s do lunch
Happy Birthday Marta! God Bless you and your family.
Ah pi berd dey tu ju,ah pi berd dey tu ju,
ah pi berd dey tu Marta,
ah pi berd dey tu ju.
Un beso y un abrazo.
I miss you guys already. Cuba Nostalgia was a total blast with you. Has Adam been Cubanized yet?
Marta, the arroz con pollo recipe from your awesome cook book is outstanding.
And Kikita, you rock with this post.
God bless and lotsa love always.
You say it’s your birthday?It’s my birthday too – yeah!
They say it’s your birthday
We’re gonna have a good time
I’m glad it’s your birthday
Happy birthday to you!
OMG! Happy belated birthday Partner in Crime!Hope you had a lovely day!!
Miss you!
Damn it, im always on Cuban time.Marta, que te puedo decir? Happy belated birthday and I love you, un maso. And that is important right now, and always.
Wow! So many comments! Must mean only one thing–you, my dear, are loved, loved, loved. Happy Birthday!
Hi honey,I am so grateful you married me. I don’t know where I’d be without you.
– me
Mucho, mucho, mucho amor! (Sorry I too, like Val, am on Cuban time.)
Dear Marti!I apologize for the delay … I’m slowly regrouping … lol!!! I wish you a Happy belated birthday from me too!!!
Kikita, great post … as usual … “your mother’s daughter, indeed”!!!
It was a pleasure to meet you both and Adam at Cuba Nostalgia!
Thanks for signing my copy of your wonderful cookbook … I’ll treasure it!!
I wish you well 🙂 Melek
“May God grant you many years to live,
For sure He must be knowing
The earth has angels all too few
And Heaven is overflowing.”
~Irish Blessing
I know this is late, I´ve been off in a surreal neverland since Nostalgia. Happy belated birthday Marta!! Gusano nailed it, our Cuban Mary Poppins–perfect. Serious hugs! Z