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by Carmelita Cochingco Ballesteros.
December 3, 2010
When Ella was six
She couldn’t wait
To turn seven and
Asked her Dad and Mom,
“Please, surprise me
With a surprise birthday party!”
“Ha-ha-ha!” laughed her big brother.
“You’re not supposed to ask
To be surprised with
A surprise birthday party!”
The surprise came as a shock
One day in May, their Mom
Was told by men and women
Wearing white coats and rubber gloves
That she had stage 3 cancer.
Mom was crying, Dad was brooding
Big brother was sobbing.
Ella said, “Don’t worry, Mom.
I’ll take care of you
I’ll comb your hair.”
There’d be no party for Ella,
It was her big surprise.
She shrugged her shoulders
And smiled, “I can have a party
When I turn eight.”
Mom went under the knife
Early Saturday morn
By Tuesday, she was back home,
Oh, she was in horrible pain!
“Mom, is it like a toothache?”
“No, it’s 100 times like a toothache.”
“Mom, be brave. One hundred
Tooth fairies will come
To take your pain away.”
Mom hugged her little girl,
“You will have a party
To celebrate your seventh birthday.
We must keep on living
And not be afraid of dying.”
Three weeks after Mom’s surgery
Ella flew to Singapore
With her entire family.
To an amusement park they went
And Shrek himself presented Ella
With a birthday cake.
Donkey, who’s having a mini-concert,
Interviewed Ella who’s in the crowd:
Donkey: How old are you?
Ella : Seven.
Donkey: I heard it’s your birthday today.
Ella: Yes, I just turned seven today.
Donkey: Where are you from?
Ella: The Philippines.
Donkey: How did you come here? Did you ride a dragon?
Ella: No, I took a plane.
Donkey: Do you have a boy friend?
Ella: No.
Donkey: Are you married?
Ella: No.
Donkey: Why don’t you have a boy friend and why are you not married?
Ella: Because I’m still a child.
Donkey: May I sing a song for you?
Ella: Yes.
Donkey: Happy birthday, Ella!