Spring Lady

Every year I get all teary eyed and nostalgic around early March.  The occasion is marked by my daughter's birthday.  This year she turned seven and at first I thought to myself: we don't need a big party to celebrate...she is past the years for parties, cakes and gifts.  Then I looked around and found myself thinking twice. 

I am a volunteer baker for a non-profit organization called Icing Smiles.  Their mission is to deliver birthday cakes to families with critically ill children.  They celebrate life, not just a birthday!  Some of these kids don't even make it through a half dozen years and the celebration of each year of life is so well understood and so much more meaningful.  Life is very precious and equally unpredictable and there is no right or wrong when it comes to celebrating another year of life...

So here we are this year with an all fondant three tiered cake.  The cake was a mix of  strawberry and vanilla.  Apricot/pineapple preserve and strawberry preserve were used as the fillings in alternate layers.  The actual event was more in accordance to M's wishes.  The cake flavor, the venue, the guest list and the food were chosen by her.  I let her dictate a part of the planning.  Simply because I wanted her to feel that as she is growing up, she can make some decisions that will be respected. It's a small step in letting her build her own confidence towards decision making and feeling empowered.  For, prepare her I must, for the world that's ahead of her in the years to come.  Spring ahead, my little lady and may you be happy and succeed each step of the way.