On the morning of her birthday, Sarah woke up with a mix of excitement and nerves. It was the first time she would have a proper birthday party, thanks to her persistent begging a month earlier. Usually, her birthdays were simple affairs with just a cake, ice cream, and a small gift, but this time, things were supposed to be different.

As the day progressed, Sarah’s anticipation grew, but there was also a hint of unease in the pit of her stomach. She knew that most of the kids in the neighborhood didn’t play with her, and she couldn’t help but wonder if they were only coming because Emily, her tough and well-liked sister, had been asked to make sure they attended.

Sarah knew that Emily was popular among her peers, while she was seen as awkward and often left out of the games and fun. Despite Emily’s initial annoyance, she managed to convince her friends to attend.

The hours ticked away, and the time for the party approached. Sarah’s parents hadn’t decorated the house like Sarah hoped, they thought it was a waste of money, but Sarah’s heart fluttered with excitement when she saw the table had a few colorful gifts wrapped in shiny paper. When the guests finally arrived, Emily seemed to be in a foul mood, complaining about being dragged into the whole affair and how she didn’t want to babysit her sister, but despite her reluctance, she had convinced the neighborhood kids to come and decided to spend her time playing with them.

Sarah put on a brave smile and welcomed them with open arms. She tried to blend in and be a part of the fun, but her awkwardness seemed to isolate her even more. The kids played games, and Sarah attempted to join, but she was often left out or brushed aside. Her heart sank, and she felt more alone than ever.

Sarah began to cry. Her mother noticed and reacted with anger, “Sarah, why are you crying, you got exactly what you wanted, a party, go play with the kids!” Sarah explained that they would not play with her. “Sarah’s mother called Emily over and demanded she make sure the other kids included Sarah.

Sarah noticed a subtle change in her sister’s behavior. Emily, though making an effort to include Sarah, couldn’t hide her frustration entirely. The kids from the neighborhood, despite attending the party, didn’t treat Sarah the same way they treated Emily, even when Emily said they had to be nice. They hesitated to include her in their games and conversations, and Sarah could sense the divide.

After a while, it was time to open the presents. Sarah’s eyes sparkled with hope and curiosity as she tore open the wrapping paper, revealing various toys and trinkets. A yo-yo, a Slinky, and a whirly wheel, Sarah giggled with glee as she set each of these aside.

Sarah couldn’t wait for Emily’s Gift, She thought she knew what it was as she and Emily had gone to a neighbor’s yard sale the week before. She had seen a toy horse with a cowgirl doll that she had wanted. It was too expensive for her to buy. She asked the neighbor kid if she could just buy the horse because that is what she really wanted. The kid said no, she had to buy it as a set at the price listed, So she asked Emily to buy it for her birthday. Emily agreed but said she had to wait for her birthday to get it. When she opened the box she found the cowgirl doll but no horse.

“Where is the Horse?” Sarah asked. “Oh, I am keeping that,” Emily replied, I bought it with my own money, the doll is yours.” Sarah’s face showed her disappointment. One of the kids, a mean-spirited boy named Jake, snickered and muttered to his friend that Sarah was a baby if she enjoyed that gift. The comment stung like a sharp needle, and Sarah’s eyes welled up with tears, remembering her mother’s disapproval at her upset earlier Sarah shook off her sadness and asked hopefully if there were any more gifts. “Just one more,” her mother said, “but that will be after the party. We don’t want it to get broken. Everyone go play now.”

To Sarah’s surprise, Emily grabbed the slinky and Whirly Twirl and headed to the double bench swing with all the other kids. Sarah grabbed the yo-yo and followed her. Sarah loved the double bench swing. It could fit three children on each side. Her family had had it for years. It sat in the shade between two huge white pine trees whose trunks could not be hugged. The needles created a soft carpet and shaded the area. Now all the kids squeezed on it, except for Sarah.

“Those are my gifts!” Sarah complained to her sister. “So.” Emily said. “you can’t play with them all at once.” Emily began removing the toys from their boxes. “play with your yo-yo.” she said as the other kids snickered. Sarah opened the yo-yo. “can you show me how?” She asked her sister. Emily sighed heavily and grabbed the yo-yo from Sarah’s hand. “just put the loop on your finger and move it up and down!” she snapped! The yo-yo danced for her in a rhythmic motion.

“Let me see that!” Jake demanded and Emily tossed him the Yo-yo. “I bet you can’t do this!” He challenged, as he began doing several different tricks. “I want to use it now!” Sarah said, with more whine in her voice than she had intended. “Give the baby back her yo-yo,” Emily instructed. Jake threw the yo-yo on the ground amongst the pine needles. Sarah picked it up and placed the loop on her finger. She let the yo-yo go and it bounced at the end of the string. She thought for a moment it was going to roll back up on the string but it only moved an inch up before falling back down despite her jerk on its tether. All of the kids laughed.

“Hey look at this,” Jake’s younger brother said as the whirly wheel zoomed back and forth on its track. Emily had taken the slinky out and was juggling it from hand to hand. “I wonder how it works?” He asked. “Let me see it,” Emily commanded as she tossed the slinky to another kid. She moved her hand as the whirly wheel went around and around. “It’s just magnets.” She said in an unimpressed tone as she removed the wheel from the track. “Don’t break it!” Sarah cried anxiously. “I want to play with it!”

“Sure,” Emily said as she bent the metal rails so they were too far apart for the wheel and handed it to Sarah. “I am going to tell Mom!” Sarah said, but before she could walk away Emily grabbed it from her. “You just need to bend it back, tattle tale!” Emily sneered. She handed the fixed whirly wheel back to Sarah. Sarah watched as the wheel moved back and forth on the rail.

As the kids began telling jokes and rocking back and forth on the swing, Sarah lost interest in the whirly wheel. “Can I sit on the swing?“ She asked. “There’s no room.” Emily replied. “can’t you move over?” Sarah persisted. “No,” Emily replied. “I can sit on the deck…” Sarah continued. “Stop bugging us and go away!” Emily yelled. “But this is my party.” Sarah protested. “Your party is over,” Emily said. “We haven’t had cake and ice cream yet,” Sarah argued. “Fine. After cake and ice cream, we will let you play with us.” Emily promised. With that Sarah ran inside to ask her mom if they could have the cake and ice cream now.

“I guess,” her mother said, appearing annoyed at the interruption by Sarah as she was visiting with the other mothers. All of the kids were called to the pick-nick table and each was given a slice of chocolate cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sarah ate hers down quickly so she would have time to play with the other kids. Sarah was the first done and ran to get her spot on the bench swing. All the other kids stayed at the pick-nick table joking and laughing.

Sarah waited patiently for everyone to finish as she slowly rocked back and forth in the swing. She noticed the slinky sitting on the opposite bench and picked it up to play with it. To her dismay, she saw that the rings were twisted and bent. Finally, the other kids got up from the table and walked toward the swing. “You broke my slinky!” Sarah cried. “I didn’t even have a chance to try it!” Emily, suddenly lost her patience. She sneered at Sarah, saying that she was just ruining the party with all her whining.

“I am tired of playing. Let’s go home”, Jake said to his younger brother. Without another word, they began walking away. Some of the other kids decided to leave too. A few said their goodbyes to Emily but no one spoke to Sarah. Sarah tried to keep her composure, but it was too much to bear. She ran to her room, seeking solace in the confines of her bed. As Sarah sobbed, she couldn’t understand why she was always treated this way. All she wanted was to be accepted, to have friends, and to feel loved on her special day. But it seemed like no matter how hard she tried, she was destined to be an outcast. Her parents scolded Emily for her cruel behavior, but the damage was already done. The party continued, but the atmosphere was tainted with sadness. Sarah’s heart felt heavy as she listened to the laughter and chatter from her room, knowing she didn’t belong there.

After the party, Emily approached Sarah, looking somewhat apologetic. She admitted that she had noticed the struggles Sarah faced in making friends. Sarah would have been happy to hear these words except that Emily had to point out that it was Sarah’s fault for being so needy and odd. In the end, Sarah’s birthday turned out to be a painful reminder of her loneliness and the harsh reality of her place in the neighborhood. She couldn’t help but wonder if things would ever change, or if she would forever be the awkward girl no one wanted to play with. And as the day came to a close, Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that her birthday wish, would remain unanswered.

Just before bedtime, Sarah’s mom reminded her she still had one gift left. As she unwrapped a beautiful doll, Sarah’s face lit up. ‘Be careful with her,” Her mother warned, “Her face and hands are porcelain. She will break easily.” The doll had a beautiful dress with flower prints and a matching bonnet. It was a mother doll. It came with a small baby doll you could put in her arms. When you stood her up she would hold the baby. On her back was a wind key. Sarah turned the key and a lullaby started to play. The doll moved back and forth, rocking the baby. Her eyes opened and closed as the music played. It was the most delightful and lovely thing Sarah had ever seen. She began to cry, but this time it was because she was happy. Sarah loved the Brahms lullaby so she wrote a poem to sing along with it.

Rocking back and forth cradled in my arms,

I sing a lullaby to ease your cares. My sweet little one.

The stars are bright and clear. Lay down your head, close your eyes,

Drift off to dreamland where angels sing lullabies.

May you sleep in peace until the morning light,

The dawn of a new day full of wonder and delight.

Rocking back and forth cradled in my arms,

I’ll keep you safe and chase away all harm,

Hush now, little one, and don’t shed a tear,

Close your eyes and sleep until the morning is near.