birthdays.

Birthdays are a funny thing.

When you are young (think age 4) birthdays are the best most fun thing ever. You get to piles of sugar, see all of your friends and family, and get gobs of attention.

Fast forward a couple of years, and you get things like cars, the right to vote, and an unhealthy amount of vodka shots for free.

Fast forward another ten years and then all the sudden birthdays are less awesome. They suddenly are something that you grumble about.. It becomes more of a burden than a privilege.

I have a problem with that. I'll tell you why.

I have a small family, but everyone in it has played a special part in my upbringing. I am eternally grateful for their love and support, both in my childhood and as an adult. I have two favorite uncles. One of them is celebrating a birthday today. This is a blessing in itself, because his birthdays were almost taken away.

In April of 2011 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I don't know how much you all know about this particular kind of cancer, but I'll tell you that it is a mean kind. 29,000 people are diagnosed each year. 28,000 don't make it. It's ruthless really.

He fought hard. He had surgery, he endured months of chemo. Recovery has presented it's own problems. But today, he is celebrating his birthday with his family. Praise be to God.

Happy Birthday! I love you dearly, and hope to visit soon. I hope you are spending your day eating lots of cake, and enjoying some SVU. You are a rockstar. Thank you for fighting. Hope your day is as awesome as you are, because if it is, you'll have the best day ever.

Until next time,
Carmen

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." unknown source.