Feeding Elephants for Their Birthday
Feeding Elephants for Their Birthday
January 5th.
A date that will always belong to the kids — all three of them.
Liam turned eight, and Kadyn and Hadley, the twins, turned seven.
(Yes, they all share the same birthday — another story for another blog.)
But this year was different.
No cold-weather birthdays.
No store-bought cake or winter coats.
Just sunshine, laughter, and elephants.
A Birthday Like No Other
Thailand had already started to feel like home, but this was our first real adventure together as a family.
The kids had talked about elephants for weeks — not riding them, but feeding them.
We’d promised them a visit to an ethical sanctuary where elephants roam freely, rescued from the tourist circuit and logging industry.
So that morning, we packed up fruit, sunscreen, and big hearts full of excitement, and headed out on a drive through the green Thai countryside.
Meeting the Gentle Giants
When we arrived, everything went quiet for a moment.
Even the kids stopped talking.
There they were — massive, calm, kind-eyed creatures moving slowly through the trees.
One elephant turned and walked toward us, and Liam’s hand tightened around mine.
“She’s huge,” he whispered.
Hadley giggled.
Kadyn froze — half awe, half “I’m not sure about this.”
And then one of the caretakers handed them sugarcane.
“Go on,” he said, smiling.
The kids stepped forward, little hands holding big hearts, and offered the first pieces.
That’s when the magic happened — a trunk reached out, soft and strong, and took it gently.
The look on their faces said everything:
Pure joy. Pure wonder. Pure connection.
The Kindness Lesson
We spent the morning feeding, learning, and listening.
The caretakers talked about how each elephant had its own personality, its own story.
They shared how tourism had changed — how people now come to help, not harm.
Liam asked a hundred questions.
Hadley and Kadyn got brave enough to help mix food balls.
And we all learned that kindness isn’t always loud — sometimes it’s slow, heavy, and covered in dust and joy.
The Birthday Moment
We didn’t have a traditional birthday cake.
But we sang, laughed, and shared a picnic while the elephants splashed in the mud behind us.
Somehow, it felt perfect.
Simple.
Real.
This wasn’t just their first birthday abroad — it was their first birthday free from routine, surrounded by life, adventure, and the kind of beauty you can’t wrap in paper.
And then — in the most unexpected way — Thailand did what Thailand does best: it wrapped us in kindness.
Throughout the day, the kids were the only children there, and the fact that it was their birthday wasn’t exactly a secret.
By lunchtime, the staff and caretakers had quietly prepared a surprise.
As we finished our meal, out came three small cakes — each different, each decorated just for them.
They sang Happy Birthday in Thai, smiling the whole way through.
The kids beamed — part shy, part thrilled, part “is this really happening?”
It was the sweetest ending to the most unforgettable day — a birthday defined not by what we planned, but by the kindness of strangers who turned it into something magical.
Reflections on the Ride Home
The kids were quiet on the drive back — not the tired kind of quiet, but the “thinking big thoughts” kind.
Liam finally said, “I think that was the best birthday ever.”
Hadley nodded, “I think the elephants were smiling.”
Kadyn just grinned, “Can we do that again next year?”
And honestly — I hope we do.
Because that day wasn’t just about elephants.
It was about gratitude, gentleness, and realizing that sometimes, the best gifts don’t come in boxes — they come with trunks. 🐘