My Birthday is this week and I'm not dying

My birthday is this Thursday. It's a big birthday and my children have conspired to make sure I am well celebrated. They have contacted many friends and family and asked that they share a special memory with me as a surprise.

The surprise came about a month before my birthday when I got my first birthday card and warm fuzzy memories from my baby sister. Don't get me wrong, it was a sweet note recounting many memories of our growing up together, but it really confused me. My birthday is 5 days after hers, so I was wondering why I would be getting a birthday card in October when both of our birthdays are in November.

A few days after the note card (not traditional birthday card) appeared, I got another note card from a friend of my daughter. It was a sweet note but left me wondering how she would know it's my birthday (again this happened in October). I did note that the note card was similar and exactly the same size, and typed identically, with no return address. ( Ok, so I'm not a good detective like those in the mysteries I like to read!) It was a really busy time for us at the mission with lots of volunteer groups, so I didn't have a lot of time to think about it.

About a week after the first two cards arrived, I got the third card from a wonderful friend of mine who never writes and never calls, so immediately I began to think that I must be dying and no one had told me. I figured I must be going before my birthday, as I was getting cards so early. My suspicions were confirmed two days later when I received the fourth non-birthday card from a dear friend who would only write if I indeed were dying.

Shortly after this confirmation (that I was dying), my good friend "Flip Flop Flozzie" asked if she and Mike could come to visit me right before my birthday. They live in Savannah ( a 10-hour drive) so of course I said yes and thought how sweet of them to come, then I consoled myself with chocolate.

As I think back on the last few weeks, I can honestly say that chocolate has been an important part of my demise. What the heck, if I'm dying I might as well go down having enjoyed chocolate to the end. Just in case I wasn't dying, I happened to mention the influx of early birthday cards to my girls, both who acted totally surprised and then denied any knowledge of the events.

Non-birthday cards have continued to come in throughout the month, all the same size, all addressed exactly alike, all telling me that I am loved and valued. My health has not deteriorated (and sadly neither has my waistline) and my children have finally confessed, much to my relief, that it is their birthday surprise for me.

I am glad to know I'm not dying and you can bet I'll be really excited about getting the mail this week. This girl loves the anticipation, so I'm really looking forward to being celebrated.