Day 20 - Celebrating Another Year of Life

This day in December, as temperatures dipped down into the low-40s, we celebrated another birthday of a fellow Marine. His 36th birthday was spent in Iraq surrounded by coworkers and friends of multiple units. As the grill was fired up, our fire pit roared, we began another evening of festiities.

Different genres of music played on our audio system as we partied the night away. Grilling chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs, accompanied by a host of snacks and drinks, we made sure his birthday evening would not be one of sadness. Sadness of being away from a wife and children back in the States, we did our best to ensure he did not slip into a state of regret for both his birthday and the holidays.

Throughout the evening, we all partook in salsa dancing, trying to learn the perplex movements. With an MP3 player, we were about to quickly select songs that would be appropriate for the evening. Listening to songs in both English and Spanish, heads were nodding and feet were tapping as people stood and watched. There were still a few people missing who needed rides to the event. This served as the perfect time to send him on a little errand so we could prepare for his surprise.

While he was away, we hurried to bring out his cake which had been made that afternoon. Using 550 cord, we hung up his piñata from a tree that was off to the side. Cards were passed around and signed by everyone while the finishing touches were added to presents. Knowing that he would not be gone long, we were almost caught as he returned through the back entrance.

As he walked down the patio towards the grill, his cake was waiting in-hand. Three attempts later, we were able to successfully sing “Happy Birthday”, overcome with laughter as he would dance to the lyrics of the song. After accepting his cake, it playfully met his face, coating his nose and lips in frosting. After cleaning himself off, he was presented with the multitude of cards that had gone around earlier that evening. Reading through each of them, he thanked everyone in attendance, helping to make his birthday one to remember.

The evening had almost come to a close when we decided it was time for him to take a swing at the piñata. Blindfolded, he spun around a bat 36 times, if you can call it spinning. Falling several times and laughing, it appeared he would have more fun spinning than he would swinging at the colorful race care suspended above him. After every swing he would fall to the ground, still dazed from the large number of spins he had performed. Finally getting the car to expose its goods, he jumped on top of it like a child, ensuring he had claimed victory. Shortly after, the night came to a close as many had to work the next morning. Leaving with hugs and handshakes, we were glad to be able to set up another celebration of life.