Abe here. I’ve admittedly been a bit spoiled this go around on my birthday. On Tuesday, we went snowshoeing as a family which was my birthday request. Saturday was a continuation of festivities. Lily is amazing when it comes to acknowledging people’s birthdays, and birthdays are always fun at our home because of her.
As soon as I rolled my bones out of bed, I became a drill sergeant and made everyone clean. The girls protested like I was asking them to walk to Canada barefoot, but I helped, prodded, threatened and promised a nice breakfast which Lily made and eventually their room, and most of the rest of the upstairs got cleaned. The German Apple Pancake Lily made was super delicious. Lily was still feeling very sick and also overwhelmed at all she had to do for my birthday dinner, so I gave her a quick massage and that turned into an engaging discussion about tithing.
About the time Clarissa went down, I went to to the funeral for Annalynn Cannon. She was my cousin who had spina bifida. She just died and she was only in 8th grade. The stories about her were amazing, about how she was not angry, or bitter after all she went through and countless surgeries. She wasn’t jealous about the lives that other people had. Even though she couldn’t dance, it made her smile when others danced. She was an old soul, and already understood lessons that many of us, like me, still struggle with. Her uncle said in a talk that he felt on multiple occasions that she was put here on earth for those around her, and not for herself. Now she is heaven, no longer in a wheelchair, smiling brightly, and receiving the reward for her service here on earth. Annalynn, I wish I had gotten to know you better, but I know enough to know you were truly special. We love you!
After the funeral, I hit the store and got a haircut and then came home. Lily was grinding in the kitchen for my birthday dinner, and she was coughing and clearly fading. She and Clarissa are the two that got hit the hardest with the sickness going through our house.
Lily promised she would sit after the cupcakes, and then I stepped in to finalize everything. Lily, I’m so grateful for what you gave so that I could have my birthday dinner.
I have a tradition every year, that on my birthday, I eat my favorite food, borscht soup with people I love. Lily is an unbelievable cook, and her borscht is so good. This year, my dad, Suzanne and Morgan and Jessie joined us. Conversation was so incredibly fun! My dad’s job is going so super well for him (which is great to see after so many harder years at the state tax commission.), Jessie is starting a private library, and everyone just seemed to be doing very well. For my birthday, my dad and Suzanne got me a book of scientific answers to totally odd and random question. I can’t wait to read it!
After the party, I was stubborn and sent Lily to bed so I could clean up and move the furniture back to our basement now that Moroni, our contractor, fixed everything after the flood. I was feeling great and happy to do it. It has been so hard for Lily to get better with the grueling pace she has with the kids, so it was good to see her rest. Lily, thank you, thank you, thank you, for again creating a memory that means so much to me, your delicious food, with people I love. Pictures below!
