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Love Doesn't Have to be Loud by Muhammed-Da'oud K.
Today was Joyce's birthday.She didn't want streamers.Or helium inflated balloons.Definitely not a llama Piniata.Joyce wanted a quiet birthday where no one sings. A gentle birthday. Just how she likes it.You see Joyce has Down syndrome. Her heart is full of love and her smile is beautiful.And sometimes the world feels just a little too noisy to Joyce.Her Mummy asked,"What would make your birthday a happy birthday, Joyce?"She turned to her Mummy and whispered,Seeing my cousin David. No singing. Just smiles, maybe jazz hands and my favourite breakfast.So Mummy made her favourite breakfast. No kettle whistling or pots clanking. Just a warm toast tower with chocolate spread, and her favourite pink princess goblet filled with fresh orange juice for her highness.At 3 o clock, no doorbell rang. No crowd at the door. Just her little cousin David knocking gently.He walked in and quietly said "Happy birthday, Joyce," also using his hands to sign.Just then Joyce's mummy brought in a big strawberry pavlova cake with fresh strawberries with coloured sprinkles and a number 6 candle.As she was about to light the candle they heard an unexpected knock at the door, more like a thump. It startled Joyce. She put her hands over her ears and shut her eyes tight. Everyone wondered who that could be.The letter box opened with big eyes peeping inside and then a loud bellow are you in.David opened the door and it was great aunt Flora. She came bursting in saying "I heard it was Joyce's birthday today." Walking into the room where everyone was sat.Oh my little star don't hide away from me dear. Why aren't there any balloons, banners and party poppers. And no music? It's too quiet for a birthday party. A strange cake, in my time we ate victoria sponge with a nice cup of tea! She exclaimed.Everyone in the room stayed calm. David told Great Aunt Flora it's because Joyce likes a no noise birthday.Just then Great Aunt Flora felt beside herself and said I am terribly sorry.She said if Joyce likes a strawberry pavlova, fresh orange juice and no noise then that's perfect.Back to lighting the candle. Joyce made wish and blew out a number six candle on a yummy strawberry pavlova cake with multi coloured sprinkles.No one sang. No one yelled. But everyone smiled.Certainly no big cheers. No clapping just jazz hands like Joyce requested.David whispered, "Wow this really is the quietest birthday ever."Joyce nodded. "And the best birthday ever," she added, snuggling into her soft blanket David gifted.Her family gave happy sighs and many thumbs up. Her cheeks were pink with joy.Because love doesn't have to be loud.Sometimes it is a whisper.Sometimes it is a hug.Sometimes, it's jazz hands and a tower of warm toasts with chocolate spread.Sometimes quiet feels like love.
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