Leah turned a year older today. Did anything change from yesterday ? No, the routine was the same as any other day.
Looking back over the past years and all the birthdays celebrated, a lot has changed now. Her mother would say “well I guess it does for all! nothing stays the same”.
Today her mother was not there to wish her. Her father didn’t remember her birthday either. The family is broken with sibling relationships turning cold and edgy. Now birthday wishes come from financial advisors, company human resources, airlines and banks! Guess that’s a good sign that they keep in touch. It’s a new phase in life when these folks remember you with cards and warm notes more than friends and relatives from years past, and days go by just like this.
Today morning, the November sunrise over the cold barren trees in the backyard greeted Leah. The golden color of the sun reminded her of her mother who once told her that she is blessed to see sunrise everyday when going to work. Indeed she was blessed, when she witnessed the warm, soft sun rays fall on the delicate petals of the beautiful, pink hibiscus that had bloomed indoors. She could hear her mother say “Isn’t it beautiful Leah?”.
The surprise call with her father today, a true birthday blessing indeed even though he no longer remembers names, numbers, dates, nothing… But the smile acknowledging a known face said it all.
She stopped by to check on a neighbor as an ambulance pulled up. At work she worried for the sick patients as she read a report. Nothing stops and nothing special happens on a birthday unless you create one. Sharing a moment of happiness with a person or nature is all you need to make something special. Leah had created her special moment with her parents who were in a different world. After all, birthdays are only special when parents are around.
“Remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life.”
RidewithTia 