An Unexpected Birthday...

Because of the given circumstance, I wasn't expecting to have such a great birthday this year, but it turned out to be quite nice. I guess maybe because I dropped my expectations or because I didn't expect too much from anyone because they've already done so much for me for the past month. Who knows, but it turned out really pleasant. I really spent most of the day as I have been lately - lying down, sitting down, taking a small stroll around the house, and changing out my IV bag.

On a different note, I received so many phone calls, texts, and facebook posts wishing me a happy birthday and a quick recovery, along with a wonderful visit from 3very great friends of mine who brought me a heavily frosted (and I'm sure fat free) beautiful cake along with lots of laughter and good company. I received 3 wonderful phone calls of great family singing to me and cheering me up. My cute daughters colored a big banner with their cousins and hung it up in my living room and my husband surprised me by sneaking me out of the house for a bit and taking me to do one of my favorite things - get a pedicure!

I was a little nervous about going out in public a) for fear I would frighten people to death with my awesome haircut and fanny-pack IV and b) I wasn't suppose to be out and about for fear of infection and sickness and germs, etc., but it felt so good to be out and while I was there, I met this really wonderful lady. She sat down beside me and we got to talking. She was asking me about my surgeries and I was talking to her and found out her Dad had just passed away the day before and she was getting his funeral arrangements put together in Las Vegas. She was so nice and pleasant and didn't make me feel weird or out of place. It was really nice. When we were both finishing up, she leaned over to me and said, "I'd like to pay for your pedicure." I told her that was really nice, but not necessary and she insisted, telling me that she really felt like doing something nice for someone today. It nearly brought me to tears and it was just one of those shockingly really kind and random things that never happens. My husband didn't find out about it until he went to pay and she really didn't want me to tell anyone, but I just wanted to share this awesome story because it made my day. For someone random to do that for me and all these kind things people having been doing for me this entire month, I just feel overwhelmingly blessed and I hope deep down inside, people know how much everything means to me. It has made this trying time just a little brighter and a little easier to deal with even though it has been so hard.

So Richard is gone now to a ball tournament and I am basically alone with my girls for the rest of my birthday night, but I don't mind, because I have had a fantastic day and I think, in a weird way, this may be one of the best birthdays I've ever had because I've realized just how many wonderful people I am blessed to know and call friends in my life. Thanks to all of you I know and to that one kind stranger who really brightened up my day.