A BIRTHDAY STORY

• last year this time was my big 60 birthday
• papa hubby had been looking forward to this date
• since the day I turned 59 as he liked the fact
• that we would be in the same decade--LOL
• both in our sixties- this only happened for a year
• and a bit as he was nearly 9 years older than me
• but of course - last year was our cancer journey
• and his plans had to go on hold........
• but papa was not one to be defeated by cancer
• when he made plans he made plans --
• = so he talked to the pastor
• and with ease- convinced the pastor to have
• a cake at the church for me----the pastor had
• to tell me a few days ahead of time as there
• was no guarantee that papa would have the strength
• to go to church that day---so it was decided that
• I would go----with out him and Miss Ashley would
• stay with papa-----but papa hubby was determined
• to go and so Bonnie and I took him but late so that
• he would have enough strength ---to last an hour or two-
• we took him there with great care- and parked as
• close to the front door we could so he did not have
• to walk one step more than was needed-
• he was very weak by then and taking a small step
• was hard work ........
• we got there and the deacons were waiting for him
• and me and they helped him into the sanctuary
• and because the pastor knew papa and I had
• to come late to conserve his energy
• he gave papa hubby a nice welcome as
• papa had not been able to go since April
• our church is small enough to do that
• and every one knew papa hubby and his journey-
• after the service we had cake in the main foyer
• and we put papa hubby on a chair
• everyone came to see him and shake his hand
• he was so blessed
• and it was a ''good bye'' time for him
• and his friends
• yes, it was my birthday and we ate cake too
• but the day was really a honoring of David
• we knew that there would be no more
• Sunday outings for him as he could
• barely walk- and sitting required too much
• energy
• and he got to see his two daughters in church
• as the Ashley invited them too
• and we all stood there around papa hubby
• some one bought me flowers to add
• to papa's special cake
• it was a nice time and not long
• as we/they knew papa was too weak
• we brought him home and
• he was so tired but happy
• happy to give me a surprise and
• happy to see his friends again
• happy that his plans happened-
• we both knew it was his last time
• we knew that he could not walk much longer
• his legs were like stove pipes( that is what the doctors call them
• and his tummy
• make him look pregnant as his body grew a water blister
• around his cancer thinking to protect it from
• the foreign body-(cancer does this to some patients)
• also
• he was going through
• his chemo side effects but God gave him the strength
• to go one more time -
• looking back is bittersweet - but with thanksgiving
• it is a birthday I will always remember-
• his family all together and his church friends
• shaking his hand and hugs and kisses
• and praying for him and with him
• it was a wonderful moment in time
• that will always be in my heart
• so that is my birthday story
• and now today is another birthday
• a new year for me...
• and I am learning to live with out papa David
• to celebrate the moments-
• to count my blessings and
• not the candles-
• and to share the memories
• that I hold in my heart.
• hugs from Meme