It’s Annie’s 54 birthday. Milestones in time always bring flashbacks to the time in the hospital. Cannot help it, they are as current in my mind as though it were yesterday. Annie is on her stationery bike reading a story about a woman waking up in intensive care after a car wreck. I am reminded of the sounds, lights and smells of the intensive care ward at Seton Hospital. I’m sorry, but it is a defining moment for me that I want to forget and cannot. We broke every rule of the intensive care ward thanks to a very dear friend who was in a position to pave the way. I slept in the room. We stayed through sessions others were thrown out of. At one point I apologized to a head nurse and she said, “Why apologize now, there are no more rules left to break?” It was a terrible time for everyone – but one that brought us all together. For the most part we are still all together as a result.
I’m glad Annie turns 54 today and is here to share it. It makes my “pity parties” seem petty compared to how hard she works everyday to improve her lot. Doesn’t mean I’ll give up the occasional pity party as I will never relish the role I’ve been handed. But for today we’ll focus on Annie. Happy Birthday.
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