A Wonderful Birthday

My long time readers all remember my sister-in-law, Jean. Last July Jean fell and suffered a terrible head injury. We didn't expect her to survive the massive trauma to her brain. She was on a ventilator and in a coma for almost three months. Then one day she just woke up again. She has slowly regained her ability to speak. She remains totally paralyzed on her left side and her health is fragile. She remains in a nursing home where my brother Bill spends most of his days with her.

Today is Jean's eightieth birthday, and it was a most wonderful day. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, she had a quick request. She wanted to go to church. This morning the nurses woke her up early for her big day. She was showered and dressed in her Sunday best. Bill hired a wheelchair accessible van and a health aide to accompany them and they went to church. They have been an active part of their little congregation for thirty years. The people there are family. My other brother and his family met them there and the church was filled with joy at her return. After the service there was birthday cake and celebration. Jean leaned over to Bill and asked him to tell everyone to please shut up. She wanted to say something. She gave a little speech about her memories and the love she felt for the people there. She told a joke about getting old.

It was just a wonderful day that we never expected to see. God is good.

Happy birthday Jean. You are one tough old lady.