My favorite thing

Christmas, New Years, and my 37th birthday have come and gone.

One of my friends posted birthday wishes on my Facebook page and asked what my favorite part of my birthday was. It only took me a few minutes to realize that the best part of my birthday was that it was the start of getting back to normal. Brad's death in mid-September was a total shock and, by the time my head started to wrap around what had happened, it was Halloween. Four days after Halloween I was life flighted to Hopkins for a week long stay in the hospital. Then there was trying to deal with 'life' and cancer and paperwork while still trying to wrap my head around Brad's death. Then it was Thanksgiving and decorating and trying to keep up with our family traditions and school plays and school parties and Christmas. Then it was celebrating and keeping on my happy face. We celebrated my birthday with a big dinner a day early since everyone was returning to work and school on the 3rd.

So here is what was so special about my birthday: I woke up in my bed at 5:45am after a night of good sleep, I took a shower without needing help or using my shower seat, I walked into the kids rooms and woke them up, I organized wrestling bags and bookbags, I drove them to school, and I went to work. My co workers bought me lunch and a red velvet cheesecake and I was able to eat both! The pediatrician called to tell me Trent's brain MRI was normal which made me want to jump up and party! I went home a little early and did two loads of laundry without help and started cleaning the toys up in the basement. When the boys got home from practice I sent them upstairs to shower, then read them a story. Then I got changed and put myself in bed, told Brad that I loved him and I miss him every day. Then I went to sleep.

If you would have asked me ten years ago what I would want to do on my 37th birthday, who knows what I would have said. But, for the here-and-now, in the life that I lead, it was a great day. It was what I pray for every day...another day with the people that I love and who love me. I wish everyone love and happiness in 2012!!