My Dad's birthday
By ida123
@ida123 (6206)
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
April 4, 2016 5:51am CST
This coming April 7, he will be 85 years old and still strong and active.
He just called me a few minutes ago and asked me if I can come to his birthday this coming Thursday, I said yes. He wants me to be there on April 6 so that I can make an errand on what to prepare for his birthday. I asked him if he invites his friends and told me, no. I replied him, why you're asking me to be there before your birthday? If I'll be the one to manage, then I'll prepare a simple one, few menu and will be going to distribute foods to our neighbors to lessen the labor and other expenses. And the other line was silent, he off his phone. I know, he felt bad of my plans because I know my Dad is extravagant in terms of money.
I'm only thinking of his money, his spending much not thinking of their expenses on their health. What can you say of my plans friend? Am I right?
10 people like this
12 responses
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
4 Apr 16
I noted you are a very practical and we are very much the same. But your Dad is obviously your opposite. It is so hard to give in to his extravagant way, I know.. I myself would be very hesitant to follow what he wants if I were in your shoes but what can I do but just follow for anyway he is already old and have perhaps invited friends even if he did not admit it.
3 people like this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
4 Apr 16
i know my dad very much from head to foot, when we have celebration in the house he always say, he didn't invite someone so we prepare less but at the very hour he has plenty of invited guest, so it ends up to shortage of food, so we order foods from nearest restaurants and it is expensive. i tried to help him save money because he used to murmor that he was so stress of the house expenses and that is the reason why i want him to save money, for the kids of our adoptive sibling
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51523)
• Philippines
4 Apr 16
Yeah, grandma thinks of that, whines when she has no money and spent more than she can afford. still we had to spent some tissue, milk and her own wilkins water. I'm glad she doesn't know anybody here, otherwise, we would be having visitors everyday like she does in the states.
maybe let him do what he wishes. he's old anyway, he won't have any more years left. but I could tell, it's already annoying as it is since your the one who wants to save.
2 people like this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
5 Apr 16
That is true, it's very annoying when you know that the cash you have is quite little and the income coming in is once a month only and the money send from my siblings is enough for a month expenses... i know his in and out of his cash so as long as i can budget, i have to.
@rina110383 (24495)
•
4 Apr 16
Wise one. I for one, do not like lavish spending. My dad is also extravagant like your dad when it comes to money.
Everytime he plans to spend more than enough during parties, I don't go home. Since we only see each other like twice a year, he gives in to my preference (Just a simple dinner with the immediate members of the family)
2 people like this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
6 Apr 16
I've considered spending lavishly is not good and impractical, in fact there's a saying that you can't pleased everybody, so even how big is your preparation, still there are people who will not be happy for it, they still talk against the way you prepared it, right? So what's the use but I'm going to prepare enough for the nearby neighbors, relatives and friends.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
In my opinion . it should be that you ask him first what type of party would he like to have . Maybe you should just let him have his way , because anyway he has the budget for it , my friend .
I think , he really would just like to enjoy his birthday , now that he is getting older . So just let him .
1 person likes this
@randomarts09 (1405)
• Indonesia
4 Apr 16
You dad is already quite old, but so great if he's still healthy, I hope he can continue on being strong and healthy!
I think you plan is a good one as he can know you appreciate him so much!
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
4 Apr 16
Yes, I think your plan is much better .. be more practical .. celebration doesn't need to be extravagant ..
1 person likes this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
4 Apr 16
That is true and I experience if we prepare many foods, the visitors will only wrapping the foods and bring it to their homes, my God, it is better to give it to our neighbors, neighbors are the ones who are easily to ask help in times of troubles.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
6 Apr 16
@ida123 Yes, that is what I particularly don't like about the culture over there.. If you invite a person, they invite along a few more .. And as you said, they take home whatever is left .. lol.. So yeah, just celebrate with the neighbours by sharing with them some of the special food prepared ..
1 person likes this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Apr 16
That is true, celebrating it with a big expense is just wasting of money but what happens yesterday is great, I thought his visitors yesterday was only his playmates of madjong but I was wrong, all his old friends from a work from insurance company was there, the members of the BOD of the bank where he was the manager was also present and his senior citizen friends.
