Story: A Heartfelt 100th Birthday Tribute

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"Happy Birthday, Papa" As I was brought into the living room, the chorus filled the air with music. As far as I can tell, it's a small party, which is exactly how I prefer my events to be: family and friends only. Even though it comes as a surprise, nothing has changed.

As I walked into the room filled with various decorations, I could hear Mary shouting with delight and baby Jay squealing. They were predominantly brown, which was my favorite color.

Brown currently appears to appeal to me. The sight of the torn newspapers and books I had acquired a few years ago, which had now become my favorite friend, had most likely an impact on me. If you're wondering, I'm wearing a brown agbada. Cakes with candles awaiting lighting and blowing were displayed on stage. I'm sure my granddaughter, Mary, would be happy to assist me with that.

My lips were brushed by a smile from a delighted child. The cakes appear to be five in number, indicating that each child prepared one. In any case, 100 is a large number to celebrate.

However, the children were not as ignorant as they may have imagined; their stealthy movement was visible from the start of the planning process. And don't include Sade, my youngest child, in any of the celebration preparations, especially if it's unexpectedly, and expect a closed mouth, even though we are alive and breathing in the same house. But I have to play along; it's the thought that matters. Ten entire decades have passed, and here I am. A lot of time had passed. My emotions are absolutely ambiguous at the moment. I, who loves and treasures each passing birthday, couldn't even express my emotions. A near-death event was enough to shape me like this.

Femi, my first fruit, is among the crowds, namely the women. He will be 70 shortly and still has his way of life with the ladies. They are undeterred by his retreating gray hair and practically full-grown white moustache. He does, however, have a lot to counteract that: money, physique, and a baritone heavy voice. He is having a great time, exactly like me.