Diana Salgado Huicochea '20

Apprentice, Echo Graduate Service Program, McGrath Institute for Church life, University of Notre Dame

I walked inside the PDX airport in the early hours of the morning. I got through TSA, boarded the plane, found my seat, and as I put my carry-on bag on the overhead bin I thought to myself, “Wow, my birthday is three days away and I have to leave.” My heart felt downcast, perhaps this is what adulting would be like: no more cherished time with my loved ones. I thought about how sad it was to be an adult and proceeded to thank God for his blessings and ask him for strength to live this “adult life.” I took a nap for the next four hours.

When I arrived in Indiana at my University of Notre Dame Graduate studies placement, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, I began to do my normal routine. My birthday was approaching. I thought about the homemade cake my mom would make for me and how by this time I would be acting as if I did not know she was planning a birthday party for me. I remembered acting surprised every year just so I could see my mom’s ecstatic face as she accomplished another surprise birthday party. My heart smiled; I thanked God and decided that my duty was to enjoy my placement and my graduate studies. After all, this is what God was calling me to do.

The morning of January 8^th 2021, as I exited the house to head to work, I found plants, balloons, and a birthday card at the doorstep. I was overjoyed; this was completely unexpected, as I had not shared with anyone about my birthday. Once I arrived at my office, I found my door decked out in pink and inside my office, Party City had puked all over it. Later in the afternoon, my Parish staff organized a surprise birthday brunch! I went home after work that day and found more goodies at my doorstep.

I went inside the house, chatted with my housemates, and went for a walk to talk to my family on the phone. I then headed back to the parish for my late afternoon ministries. I was about to go home when I was asked to go help a parishioner turn on a projector, so I went and as I walked into the parish hall I saw about 30 parishioners standing there screaming “Surprise! Happy birthday, Diana!” My eyes filled with joyful tears, and my heart rejoiced. There was plenty of homemade cake, store-bought cake, and lots of food. They sang happy birthday in English and Spanish. I felt loved and cared for. 

Later that evening, I went to a parishioner's home, for I had volunteered to help lead a rosary. Once I entered their house, I was greeted by more parishioners, cake, and candles to blow out. After a beautiful time of celebration and prayer, I went back to my house. As I entered the door, I was caught off guard with another “Surprise! Happy birthday, Diana!” My housemates had surprised me! My heart could not believe how much love, care, intentionality, and goodness I was gifted with. I was not aware of how much I needed this love and care at this point in my life when there had been so much change from the pandemic and moving to a new state for graduate school. 

This glimpse of care I now share did not only brighten that day, but it also allowed me to see the love, care, and sheer goodness I too can offer others. “Adulting” does not mean a lack of cherishing moments with loved ones nor separation from one’s family but seeing how our circle of loved ones expands. How generosity can inspire, motivate, and teach us to spread love and care to our neighbors, to our human family.