Mother's Birthday

Today is my mother's birthday. The eighth day of October.

My mother and I have rarely been together on her birthday. We spent them together up until the time I left home when I was 17. But from that point on, college, geography, schedules (her's and mine), and life's other commitments kept us apart as she celebrated another year. I always sent a card and a present. We talked by phone. We shared a laugh and got caught up. But it was up to my father and her friends to provide her with a celebration.

Even on her birthday last year - when she turned 75 - I was in Maryland and she in Michigan, though I had just spent the preceding three weeks with her getting her through brain tumor surgery, finding a nursing home, and starting the process of getting her affairs in order. Those three weeks had kept me away from my job too long. I had to get back. And once again, others had to sing Happy Birthday to her while I was elsewhere.

So for me, in that one small way, today's birthday is not much different than all the others. I sit here in Maryland and she's, well, I don't really know where. Somewhere good, I hope. She's certainly somewhere better than where she was last year on October eighth. But there will be no phone calls this year. This will have to do.

Happy birthday, mother.
K-