by Vicky Leong
There are moments in life that prompt us to pause. Some come uninvited, like challenges or change. Others are expected, like birthdays and Teacher’s Day.
Birthdays are often marked by songs, cakes, party hats, and laughter. For children, the joy is uncontainable. For adults, perhaps it is quieter, filled with reflection. Yet beyond the festivities lies a deeper significance: birthdays are sacred invitations to pause, to reflect, and to look ahead. In many ways, a birthday is both a mirror and a window.
It reflects who we have become and reveals glimpses of who we are becoming.
A Pause to Reflect
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
This verse often comes to mind on birthdays. It reminds me that life is not just about counting years, but living them with intention. In the busyness of routines, meetings, and family life, we sometimes forget to reflect. Birthdays offer that gentle nudge.
As a mother, I see how quickly time passes. From tying shoelaces and packing snacks to discussing subject choices and career dreams with my teenagers, every candle on their cakes feels like a quiet testimony of growth in body, mind, and spirit.
Celebrating our little ones as they turn one.
When I reflect on my own journey, birthdays are milestones of gratitude. They remind me of growth, grace, and the unseen efforts behind nurturing life—whether in our children or in the communities we serve. Each year carries both quiet struggles and victories, and it is in marking the passing of time that I find renewed clarity on what truly matters.
“[Celebrations]…remind me of growth, grace, and the unseen efforts behind nurturing life—whether in our children or in the communities we serve.”
Celebrating Identity & Belonging
In our preschools, birthdays are among the most special occasions. The joy on a child’s face when their name is called, when their classmates sing for them, when they wear the birthday hat—all of it is priceless. These moments communicate to every child: “You matter. You are seen.”
Celebrating our children’s birthday in their preschool.
Romans 12:10 encourages us to “Honour one another above yourselves.” When we celebrate birthdays, we honour life itself. At home, our celebrations can be as simple as a homemade cake, a surprise outing, or a quiet prayer together. One of my favourite traditions is writing heartfelt birthday notes to one another—words that affirm and uplift. These small, consistent gestures shape identity and build a sense of love and security.
But the invitation to celebrate does not end with children.
The Importance of Celebration: Especially for Our Teachers
Adulthood often pulls us into the rhythms of work and responsibility. In the process, we sometimes lose sight of the power of celebration. Yet it remains important—especially for our teachers.
Teaching is not just a profession. It is a calling marked by long hours, deep care, quiet sacrifices, and a steadfast commitment to giving children the best start in life. Many of our educators give generously, consistently, and wholeheartedly without expecting recognition. And they deserve recognition.
Teacher’s Day offers us the opportunity to pause and honour them. It is not merely about gifts or tokens. It’s about taking time to say: “We see you. We are grateful for you.” These gestures of appreciation speak volumes. They restore, uplift, and remind our educators that their work matters.
Just like birthdays, Teacher’s Day is a celebration of identity and purpose. It tells every educator: “You are not forgotten. You are valued.”
Teachers in Little Seeds Preschool (Ascension) and (TSA-Bukit Panjang)
A Promise of Purpose
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s promise: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Every birthday carries a quiet promise. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, a reminder that God is not done with us. There is still more to discover, to learn, to give, and to grow into our God-given identity. For our children, it marks wonder and growth.
Celebrating my teenagers’ recent birthdays
For us as adults, it’s a chance to recalibrate and ask, “Who am I becoming in this season?” Likewise, when we celebrate our teachers on Teacher’s Day, we are not just recognising what they have done. We are affirming the purpose they carry and the difference they continue to make. We are planting seeds of encouragement for the journey ahead.
“Let’s reclaim these moments as sacred pauses—opportunities to reflect, affirm identity, and anchor purpose. Whether we are celebrating a child, a colleague, a parent, or a teacher, may we do so with intentionality and joy.”
An Invitation to Celebrate Intentionally
As we mark birthdays and special days like Teacher’s Day in our homes, schools, and communities, let’s look deeper.
Let’s reclaim these moments as sacred pauses—opportunities to reflect, affirm identity, and anchor purpose. Whether we are celebrating a child, a colleague, a parent, or a teacher, may we do so with intentionality and joy.
In the simple act of celebrating others, we breathe life into them. We honour their story. And we remind ourselves that every life is a gift.
“Every year is a chapter. Some pages easier than others, but each one a part of the story worth honouring.”
Vicky Leong is an Executive Principal at Anglican Preschool Services, overseeing Little Seeds Preschools. Her birthday is in August.
