Turbo Cancer: Day 87 - September 6, 2022
Turbo Cancer: Day 87 - September 6, 2022
75th Birthday
This day, last year, was a miracle.
It was my mom’s 75th birthday. It was worth celebrating.
There had been a time when I thought that my mom would live to be a hundred.
There had been a time when I thought that she would be gone within weeks.
Her disease attacked suddenly. It progressed quickly. It debilitated her before we even knew its name.
Like a well-planned military operation, it came out of nowhere, delivering a swift lethal blow.
My mom didn’t live to be a hundred. She didn’t die within weeks, either.
She lived to be seventy-five.
Throughout the day, flowers, cards and gifts were delivered, people stopped by with hugs and birthday wishes, and the phone never stopped ringing. It was an exciting blur of activity.
After a day of presents and friends, it was time for the grand finale.
Secretly, Penny had arranged a community car parade. She invited everyone who knew my mom. She put flyers in the places that my mom frequented: the health club, the pool, the faith group, the book club, the church…
A long day of guests and gifts was winding down. Only Aunt Linda and my boys remained. My mom was tired, but happy.
She was sitting in her chair, content.
She didn’t know that the big surprise was yet to come.
It was almost time.
The cars were lined up all the way down the block.
I needed to convince my mom to come with me.
I said: “Let’s all go outside for a few minutes. It’s such a beautiful day.”
My mom said: “No, I’m happy right here. I don’t feel like going outside.”
I tried again: “Let’s go outside. It’s a nice day.”
“Why on earth would I want to go outside?”
“Because there is something I need to show you.”
“Can you show me tomorrow?”
“No. It will be gone tomorrow.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
It was odd for me to be pushing my mom to do anything outside of her comfort zone. She didn’t understand why I was acting strange. She was annoyed by me, but finally gave in, and followed me to the backyard.
My son, Mikey, helped her walk to a chair that was set up by the fence. From there, she would be able to view her birthday parade.
Penny had done a phenomenal job. It was car after car of well-wishers, friends, family, gifts, food, flowers and cards. The cars were decorated with happy birthday wishes and prayers for health. It was a sea of balloons floating past. My mom was showered with love.
She was shocked.
She was surprised
She was happy.
It was the best birthday, ever.
On this day, last year, throughout the day, my mom wrote in her journal:
So I made it to 75! Thanks be to God!
Balloons all over the house! Penny, Sally, Gary and Shawn. What a sweet surprise.
Had last PT with Anna. I’ll sure miss her! I hope I’ll get a chance to honor her.
Penny and Linda coming today and maybe Faye also.
My giant leg seems a bit smaller!
Faye stopped by, and then Ginny! What a surprise!
Then - a parade of cars, cards, gifts from friends from all walks of my life! Overwhelmed and blessed.
Thank you to Penny, God, and all who came (Nancy, Vikki, Marko, Martha…)
WOW!
To be loved so much!
Thank you for sharing this love with all of us! Mom is such a special woman, such an inspiration. So many people loved her.
Editorial fairy
>card and gifts
'cards'