Happy birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's 79th birthday!

Usually a happy occasion, mom's birthday yesterday also served as a stark reminder of how much we all miss Dad. Even mom (who thinks every day is her birthday) has been crying a lot this week and talking about Jim.

There's a weight on me that I can't shake. My thoughts may linger away for a moment but they always snap back quickly to a feeling that I've lost something. Oh yeah, my Dad.

And it sucks.

But . . . we all move forward somehow. Justin and Sherri just had a baby (who I'm going to visit tonight!) and Jenny has another one on its way. I visited a friend in the hospital yesterday and held her newborn. That was a wonderful thing to do on Mom's birthday. The circle of life continues.

And I am lifted by the fact that I know Dad would not want me to be sad. Right now, he would be saying something sarcastic and shooting me a wry smile. Or he'd bring up Glenn Beck just to get me riled up. He'd rather have me argumentative than sad. We used to have some crazy debates. And so, that's what gets me through.

And mom continues to bring smiles. Her usual sunny disposition is a true blessing. And since many people afflicted with Alzheimer's can get mean or lash out, we feel especially lucky that none of that has happened to her. She is carefree and happy most of the time. And almost always keeps her clothes on -- outside of a few small incidences that also brought chuckles.

I'm sad to hear that she's been crying this week but I guess it's to be expected. And perhaps her weekend get-away will lift her spirits. She started staying in a lovely assisted living residence called The Gardens in Wapakoneta. It's a wonderful place. They even have a Facebook Fan page. She was SO excited to go last weekend and told a few people that she was going to Arizona.

It's warm in Arizona. Perhaps I should join her.

Love you, mom!