Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday to my father in law who celebrates his 80th birthday this week in addition to my mother in law who will also turn 80 next month! How fortunate are they and how blessed are we!

Neither of them like most people experienced life in perfect health. My father in law Ed, was lucky enough in his 50’s to find out he needed a 5 artery by-pass (I say lucky instead of being a cause of death) and then a few years after, full hip replacement with several re-do’s over the next 30 years. My mother in law Lois, who for the most part was very healthy, had more than her share while turning 79. Within just a few months she was preparing for knee replacement surgery, while discovering she had something suspicious in the breast from her annual mammogram. But both of those things were to be put on hold to deal with as testing discovered she too would need by pass surgery before any of the other surgeries could be completed. Each procedure was followed by weeks and months of rehabilitation while she prepared her body for the next.

Why do I share this? We all know someone, a friend, a relative or oneself that has taken ill. Any diagnosis can be challenging no matter how difficult. But what really matters is how one deals with it all. Ed could have been disappointed that he wasn’t going to play tennis the way he used to, but instead he chose to take up golf and swim laps to re-build his body and his mind.  He also became an avid bicyclist while riding 6-10 hours each week. Lois, who had not one or two, but three surgeries along with radiation treatment within 7 months, worked extremely hard at her own rehabilitation and kept an amazing positive mental attitude each time. She surprised us all at how well she managed to per-severe through it.  She continues with weekly work outs, long walks and even gets in her occasional 9 holes of golf. Not bad for 80!

We don’t usually know what’s in store for us.  Harvey and I both live our life in 6 month intervals, from mammogram to breast MRI and at any point, our life can change. We have learned to make the most of our lives, to take the time to do things we enjoy, which is why when the opportunity presented itself we traveled to a warm island this past winter together with our spouses. We laughed, we ate, we took our morning walks and we appreciate the time we were able to share. My in-laws had the pleasure of taking their children and grandchildren away for one week, all 19 of us to celebrate their 80th birthdays. How lucky are we, how lucky are they!

So when someone wishes you a Happy Birthday, and you’re "feeling old" or sick, remember as long as you are on this earth to grow a year older, it is a celebration. Every birthday should be a “celebration” as there are many who may never be fortunate enough to reach your age. You can choose to be counted down or out, or you can choose to be strong and celebrate. Wishing everyone a very Happy Birthday and many, many more filled with good health. Enjoy!

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful
Editor; Vicki Wolf Co-Founder