My husband recently celebrated his 75th birthday. A milestone. A dreaded milestone.
And not because of his age, but because of a friend’s death.
OMG. . In So Many Ways
Marty was Bill’s first college friend. His best friend. His longest friendship – 56 years. Marty’s birthday was November 12th. Bill’s is December 12th. They exchanged birthday cards for 56 years – until Marty died on October 30th.
OMG. . .In So Many Ways. . .Devastating.
Bill spoke at Marty’s Celebration of Life. He told stories from college days. Stories from early days of marriage – like camping out on Colorado Blvd. all night to see the Rose Parade and going home right before it began because we were so cold. We watched the parade on television.
OMG. . .In So Many Ways.
Then he relayed the birthday card exchange of 56 years. How he dreaded his birthday this year. No card from Marty.
December 12th came. And so did birthday cards. Not one, but many. From Marty’s wife. His brother. His children. His friends. They heard the pain in Bill’s birthday story. They stepped in for Marty.
With each card, Bill’s smile grew bigger. With each card this was no longer the dreaded birthday.
OMG. . .In So Many Ways.
Do we listen to each other’s stories? Truly listen? Do we recognize there might be something we can do to ease the sadness? Like sending a birthday card?
This has given me pause. A simple gesture. That says I care. That says I listened. That says you are not forgotten.
OMG. . .In So Many Ways. Birthday cards.
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