Nils serves as the caretaker of the boys next door here in
La Ceiba, he arrived at the same time I did to the farm in October of
2010. He also happens to have the worst
possible birthday in the finca, December 3.
For the past two years, his birthday has fallen on the day of and day
after the farewell mass and dinner for volunteers finishing their two years of
service. Literally everyone has been
depressed and anti social if not crying in their room for the entirety of his
two birthdays while at the farm.
Janet and I decided that after all he has done for our
volunteer community, the kids, and our smaller community here in La Ceiba, he
deserved a happy birthday celebration of some form. Then we realized that his half birthday was
the following Sunday. So we secretly
planned a brunch at Kibok café with the Satterlees, Nils, and I, and had a
secret cake for after mass. Most
amazingly, I managed to keep this secret from both Nils and all five teens for
an entire week and a half.
That morning Nils was very happily and honestly surprised
when he realized what our brunch was actually for. He thanked us for being so thoughtful and
kind, and ate a yummy breakfast.
After mass that night I walked over and sat next to him in
the pew. He told me that he was very
tired and ready for bed. As most of you
know, I am a horrible liar. I told him
he had to stop by the girl’s apartment briefly first. He asked why.
I then told him that the Satterlee family and a cake were waiting for
him. He smiled, laughed, and then walked
with me across the street to the apartment.
Everyone was there waiting. We
ate cake till we were full, and then he went back with his boys to their
side.
The next day he told me thank you again in his ever humble
and grateful style. I told him it was
our pleasure to finally joyously celebrate the life of our fellow community
member and friend. We all also agreed
that any excuse for brunch and cake on a random Sunday in June sounds like a
wonderful idea.
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