How would you have felt?

I didn't intend to post here again so soon but I am just itching to tell you a story. (Take note: This has nothing to do with my predicament on the previous post.)

Last month, a friend of mine mentioned she would soon be ordering a cake from me for her daughter's eighteenth birthday.  I sensed she was a bit worried about the cost as she would have to pay for food catering and other party-related stuff as well. Since I would be giving a present anyway, I thought, why not just gift the cake instead?  When I told my friend, she appreciated the gesture very much.

Fast forward to last night, the night of the birthday party.  Below is the cake I had made.  I know I could have done a better job but I still thought it was pretty cool.

 A 12" chocolate cake, as requested, with gumpaste decorations.

I bought a JEM ladies shoe cutter specifically for this purpose.  I liked how I had embossed the celebrant's name on the shoe itself, like it's the shoe brand.

Thinking the cake might not be enough, I also prepared 24 banana cupcakes with matching flower decorations.

When we arrived at the party, I was led to where the cake was to be placed.  To my surprise, at the center of the dining area were two matching cakes displayed in one of those floating-style cake stands.  Those cakes apparently were the "main" birthday cakes.  Another family friend had them made somewhere else.  I was then directed to a small table reserved for my cake. It was located in the corner of the same area next to where the plates and utensils were. And the cupcakes? There wasn't enough space on that small table so I had to leave them on the carrier and put them down somewhere else.  Too bad cause they did match my cake and the two would have looked nice together.

To top it all, the birthday girl didn't even acknowledge my cake's presence.  Not to me anyway. It was like it was invisible.  Sigh.  

I could have felt hurt right then and there but I consciously chose not to be.  

A moment later, my friend's auntie came up to me and said she wondered what those shoes in my cake were made of so she took a pinch off it  to taste it.  What????  Did I hear that right?   I sneakily went to the table to take a peek at my cake and true enough, there was a chip on one of the shoes. Oh............my............God.

Was it time to get upset now?

I tried my best to be as understanding as possible.  Some people just don't know how much time and effort go into making these decorations that is why they do not appreciate them and treat them (and the maker as well) with respect. They don't know how much care is exerted to make sure a cake makes it to its destination in perfect shape. Just like that...a chip.

Well, I didn't let that ruin my night.  And you know what? As guests were having a taste of both cakes (which happened to be both chocolate), I overheard them saying mine was the better-tasting one.  

So, was I still happy inspite of everything?  Absolutely.  (But I would be lying if I didn't admit I can still see that chip on the shoe in my head until now.)

PS. In fairness, let me just add that they did put my cake next to the two others when it was time to sing happy birthday to the debutante.  And they did light up the candle. :)