Dear Mom & Dad,
Happy birthday! I know it's actually MY birthday coming up but I write to say "thank you". I'm actually really psyched to be here and I have you to thank. You know much more about what happened on that actual day than I do, from all accounts it was a good one. You two were beautiful & handsome, I was cute, we all fell in love with each other. Good times.
Also, thank you for all of the parties, cakes and trips. Thank you for hosting lots of kids when I was little, indulging me with multiple family cakes (one for each set of grandparents, yum!) and all of the toys, clothes, gadgets and presents that were "must haves".
Thank you for having a special birthday tablecloth, tying a special balloon to my chair, and the singing cake platter you've got working now is really funny. I actually like party hats too. Thank you for all of that.
This year though, I'm all done with birthday celebrations. It may seem like vanity to want to stop counting the years, that would only be partly true.
The only years I really want to count are the four and one month left until can say with certainty "My cancer is in remission". Everyday from now until then is one step closer to that day in July of 2012. That day will be a big celebration. I hope by then the black shadow of the beast will be so faded it will no longer chill me with it's darkness. The beast has aged my body and perspective more rapidly than time has. It has changed me and my priorities.
Counting my birthdays isn't important for me now, counting happy days is.
Happy Day to me.
Party party party
Damn!! You are soooo invited to my party.
...And to go dress shopping with me.
Let's do it!
Hey, I'm in.
But, one of the many things I've learned since my husband died unexpectedly at age 42 is that we have to live each day as if it is our last, if I may quote whoever coined that often used line.
So I say let's go shopping today and celebrate your birthday this year in a big way, because you are here and you can. I remember not wanting to celebrate my 40th a few years after Bill died and my family hosted a surprise party to remind me that I was alive and a ton of folks loved me. After the shock wore off, I had a lot of fun.
I understand your desire to celebrate big in 2012, but please do celebrate this month too. I say we go out and celebrate both of our birthdays, mine is the 25th. Are you a leo too?
Take it easy and breathe,
Anne
Anne Murray Mozingo
Keep on keepin' on Debra
Dear Debra,
What a great letter to your parents! We all should send such a note to those who gave us life.
And to you I say Happy Birthday! Keep on making the most of every single moment! Keep on wrapping your arms around those you love! Keep on telling everyone you know how you really feel and what you really need from them! Keep on breathing deep and seeing yourself at that birthday party in July 2012. Imagine the party attendees all around you. Imagine the feeling of love and gratitude and relief and peace in your heart. Imagine the sparkling look in the eyes of your husband and children. Imagine the pride in their smiles. Imagine your own precious sense of accomplishment for making it so far. Imagine the hot dress you are wearing and the way it swings with the music that calls you to dance your dance of life! Imagine the taste of the cake, the feel of all the hugs from friends who came from far and near. Imagine in your heart of hearts all that you dream for your life. In so doing, you will magnetically draw in this reality.
Here's to visualization and all that it brings us every day!
Happy Birthday Debra!
Anne Murray Mozingo