Chandler's 21st Birthday

Today is Chandler's 21st birthday.  I believe we celebrated it well.  This is always a hard day.  As a parent, you want to be so happy on your child's birthday.  It's their day.  But, when that child is no longer here to celebrate with you, it's hard.  But, we do our best.  Someone said to me today that they thought it was great that we worked so hard at still celebrating Chandler's birthday.  It would be hard for me to do nothing on this day.  This is his day.  He may not be with us but he is still and always will be a part of this family.  I couldn't go through this day and not do something for his birthday.  I have been blown away by all of the sweet comments, thoughts and prayers from so many people today.  It means so much to me and I appreciate it all more than I could ever express.  All of the support does help me to get through these days.

 I actually met a new friend for lunch today.  I usually don't plan things on days like this but there was no other day this week to get together.  When we sat down at lunch, my friend asked me about Chandler.  She hadn't heard about him yet and she was interested.  So, I sat there for about an hour talking about Chandler.  She didn't even know that today was his birthday.  To be able to sit there and just talk about Chandler was the best thing for me today.  I am truly thankful for my friend wanting to know about Chandler and my family. 

Just a few minutes after I got home from lunch today, my door bell rang.  I went to the door and saw a friend of mine with her little boy.  She was holding a cake and her son had a balloon.  She said, "this cake is from your sister".  I thought "what?  You don't even know my sister.  My sister doesn't know you".  So, she comes in to tell me that my sister contacted her and asked if she could pick a cake up and deliver it to me today.  Her little boy picked out a Mickey Mouse Happy Birthday balloon to go with Chandler's birthday cake.  I talked to my sister afterward and she informed me that she randomly picked out on of my local friends on Facebook. contacted her and asked her to make the cake delivery.  I have to say that my sister did good.  And, I 'm so thankful to my friend, Nathaly, for being willing to get the cake to me. 

Soon after Nathaly left today, I sat down to have a few minutes of chill time before I had to pick the kids up from school.  I was beginning to get emotional.  My eyes were filling with tears and my phone rang.  It was God's perfect timing again.  It was Caleb.  He called to say he was thinking about me.  We talked for a while.  It was so good to hear his voice and his call was right on time. 

I picked the kids up from school today.  They got in the car and one of them says, "so, did you cry all day?"  Ha!  They know me well. 

We had a delicious dinner tonight.  I made one of Chandler's favorites.  I cooked a roast in the crock pot with carrots.  Chandler's favorite part was the carrots.  He wanted lots of them.  I also made one of his favorite desserts.  He liked brownies with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.  In addition to this, we also had his birthday cake.  

I'm always amazed at how I get through these days.  As I go through them, I see how God works.  He knows when I'm hurting and He always finds a way to give me comfort.  I'm so thankful! 


Happy 21st birthday, Chandler!  I love you - infinity!