April 5th

Yesterday was my birthday. I am 23 now. One year older and one year wiser.

It was also a very difficult day for me. I spent the first hour and a half of the day (from 12am to 1:30am) in the ER with the Miss. Well, we left at 9pm the night before it just happened to take that long for us to be seen and discharged. As it turns out her fever of 104 and listlessness is due to a double ear infection.

She was given a prescription for amoxicillian and sent on her merry way. Too bad that girl hates all medicine when she's sick. To the point of puking it all up again. It's a good thing that at this point I've figured out how to trick her into taking it.

I was home and in bed to snuggle my hubster by 2:45 ish. It took me a long while to get to sleep though. I don't know if I was hopped up on the adrenaline of being terrified for Noella or simply just at that point past tired when you've gained your second wind.

And then the phone rang at 6am. Who guessed it was my mom? Cause you're right. And no, it wasn't a call to tell me about the latest and greatest whatever or to simply say hello. My Madam had a stroke.

For those of you who don't know who my Madam is, she is kind of the third member of my personal trinity. In no particular order, it's Noella, Jason and Madam. These are the people who will forever keep me moving and striving in life. So for me to hear that she's sick, my stomach dropped into my toes and my mind went spinning.

As it turns out, as far as strokes go, she had a fairly mild one and caught it in time. Of course, we didn't know that at the time. I was hysterical all morning. And to have a sick, miserable baby on top of that I was sure it was going to be the worst birthday ever.

My parents came down to get me so we could go see Madam. I needed to see her to be sure she was okay. I couldn't just take the phone call updates. Boy am I glad I did because no matter the circumstance I have a horrible habit of thinking the worst and it gets me all worked up.

While I was waiting for my parents to arrive I had to keep myself moving. If I didn't I sat and cried and wallowed and cried some more. I became a do-er.

By the time we reached the hospital Madam was doing well but exhausted. It was amazing and so relieving to know that she was going to be okay. Of course, Madam being Madam, the first thing she said to me was "I didn't forget it's your birthday. I have your card at home. I told Helen I couldn't forget it." Even when she's laid in a hospital bed hooked up to all sorts of monitors and IVs that woman was worried about ruining my day.

Madam with the Miss on her first birthday.

Seeing her and being able to hear her voice put my mind at ease and I was able to relax and enjoy my sick baby as much as you can enjoy a sick cranky baby.

When I compare this birthday with the one I had last year, I'm so glad that last year's birthday was so super special. It gave me something to reflect on when I was wrapped up in my own head filled with worry and helplessness. I am so blessed to have so many friends who wished me a happy birthday because settling down for the evening and seeing how many people wanted to wish me well on that day really turned my birthday blues around.

This morning my mom is making me breakfast in her new home and letting me lounge in my jammies while Noella, who has made a miraculous recovery, is happily banging on pots and pans in her kitchen. This morning is so drastically different and it's glorious. It forces me to realize that no matter how bad yesterday felt, that every other day of my life, though boring and somewhat predictable, is grand and full of happiness.

For that, I am thankful.