Cutting the cake was the climax of the birthday parties at our home in Abadan. Mom baked the best cakes and cookies. We couldn't wait to stuff ourselves.

This was probably from 1972, when I turned 10. From right: Afsaneh Koochak, me, Behyar Bakhshandeh, Nabil Yazdani, Ramin Zarrazbi, Matin Karbasiyoon, Mehrdad Zarrabi and my mother.

I've found a trove of photos in my boxes in my sister's garage in Mexico. An explosion of memories...