When my baby reached her first year, I was just starting out my first job as an IT instructor. My paycheck was not enough to give her that lavish party with friends and relatives. I decided to spend that one on a lot of that on her milk and disposable diapers instead.

Then on her 5th year, I decided to enroll her in a nursery to attend pre-kinder. But before that I need her baptized, just because of the requirement of the private school where I wanted her to attend. And so that was done. There was no party, just us, the ninong and ninangs that were my close friends and officemates.

I noticed that the 7th birthday is when many parents wanted to have that fun parties. Most parents would turn to Jollibee or McDonalds to prepare a kiddie party. Again, I was not able to do that. This time, the reason is not my lack of finances but lack of time. I was slaving away as an engineer in a factory three hours away. As one of the maintenance crew my job required me to toil long shifting hours at work. I could not also go home on holidays. I could not easily do a party arrangement because my work demanded a lot of my time.

Last year, I resigned from my job and was struggling to find ways to earn from home or probably find a good job in my location. I was still starting out freelance and blogging and had no online buddies to share my experiences. It was lonely. I spent the birthday time at home.

Today, I still have no lavish party to throw because I need to prepare for the worsening global financial crisis. I have some bucks that’s enough to throw an enjoyable party but I decided to a good portion in her saving accounts and spend some of that in some enjoyable treat that we will do today.

Obviously, her lousy father did not even gave me financial support to help me through the years.

After I do this post, I’m off to take her out from school. I haven’t planned where we’ll be going but I’m sure she likes me having me around on this special day.