Birthday Traditions…
6:15. Monday morning. February 17, 2020. I had been up for a few minutes, and I was putting on my make-up. If I am completely honest, I wasn’t looking very forward to the day ahead. I was having a little pity party and feeling sorry for myself. It was the first time that I would spend my birthday without having my family together at some point during the day, because my son lives out of town in Myrtle Beach.
To add insult to injury, I had gotten sick the week before. This had thrown the proverbial “monkey wrench” in my only birthday request – to go to the beach so that we could have family time together just before my birthday – on Monday. Remember, the first time EVER that I would not have my family together (did I mention that before?).
6:15…Ring….Ring….Ring….the home telephone (yes, we still have one – for family and telemarketers). I knew exactly who it was! How had I not planned for this (because, I’m a planner, y’all)? I knew I needed to get my cell phone – and FAST – before the home phone stopped ringing. There was only one chance for this phone call…this annual phone call that means the world to me. I could not miss it, for you see, I record it – every, single year. He just doesn’t know that I do. I got my cell phone, pressed record, and answered the phone – on the fourth ring – just in time. Hello? His voice, “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Lisa. Happy birthday to you, and I love you”. It was my Pops, my Father-in-Law, like so many years before.
I don’t know how we started the tradition, but we call each other on our birthdays. We call early in the morning – first thing – so that we don’t forget. That call means the world to me every year. This year, however, I cannot tell you how much it meant. I cried after he called. I cried, because I was so thankful to get that call. At the end of January, you see, Pops had a heart attack. I am so thankful that I still have the man that has been the closest thing to a father that I have ever known. I cried as I shared with a precious friend, knowing me so well she could be my sister, who understands what I was feeling for reasons that are her own. I cry whenever I listen to the recordings.
We are not promised tomorrow. I want the two people in this picture, my Pops and my Ma, to know that I love them. Cherish the moments you have with the people you love…
Blessings ~
Lisa