It's probably been 13 years....

Yes, I would say it's been 13 years since I spent my birthday....the actual day of my birth.....with the one who brought me into this world. Therefore, it struck me this year that it is definitely time to celebrate the day with her.

It hit me suddenly as I was thinking about my mid-week birthday this year. Scheduled for the evening shift, I really didn't want to work on this day so I took a long-awaited vacation day. Then I realized, what am I going to do?Everyone has to work and I sure as heck don't want to spend this day like any other day of the week I may have off. That's when God put the idea into my head that my retired mom would probably love to spend the day with me.

The excitement that overwhelmed me when this idea popped into my head was quite a surprise. See, I wouldn't say my mom and I have the greastest mother-daughter relationship. To be honest, there are issues on so many levels. Yet, I can't deny that we both do love each other and want each other to be happy. When I thought about the idea of calling my mother and telling her I would be spending my birthday with her I felt like a little girl getting ready to show Mom my numerous A's on my report card. I knew it would make her happy. I knew it would give her a boost and make her smile.

Come to find out, I was right. I called her just the other day and asked her if she had plans on February 25th. She said "no". I then told her I wanted to come down to see her and go out to eat for my birthday. Guess what I heard??.......I heard some excitement in my mom's voice. This is huge. See, unless the Cubbies are playing exceptionally, excitement in my mother's voice is hard to come by these days. I'm not trying to degrade my mother here. That isn't my intention. I just know my mom has struggled with genuine happiness for over 20 years now. I know she thinks she is alone and very few care. The fact of the matter is, we do care....but there is only so much we can do. But when the opportunity arrives and I can take time out of my life to actually give her a boost, I hope I can try to seize the moment and do so. I saw the moment this time, and I went for it.

I was thrilled to make her happy. I truly was. As a matter of fact, I think this has turned around back to me and has already given me a feeling of that "Happy Birthday" everyone says we should have. The idea of it really gives me a feeling of hopeful anticipation. Now I can only put it in God's hands and trust that the actual visit will be as joyful, peaceful, and memorable as I know it can be.