Kathy's birthday wish - April 25, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:01AM 
Baby sis, Kathy, invited me to lunch at the Grecian Gardens restaurant (on Highway 378 in West Columbia) for her birthday. We'd start at Noon. Possible guests: Hope, Coy, me. I asked Betty Bethea, my fun traveling companion, to ride with me to celebrate since she hadn't seen Kathy and Hope since our cruise two years ago. Betty and I drove into the parking lot promptly at Noon and I was really surprised to see my brother, Mike, and my beautiful sister-in-law, Darlene, getting out of their Yukon. We hugged each other and that was when I noticed their white T-shirts which said "In Loving Memory of Sanders". They simply said they had completed the NAMI three-mile walk along the Congaree River that morning. I was taken aback. I tried to take a picture of them. But, my arms were shaking so badly even the automatic focus of my digital Sony couldn't overcome the movement.
We were taken to a table in the special occasion back room. When the four of us walked in, all I saw was that the table was full of people and almost everyone was wearing one of the white T-shirts! It was then I realized I was the only person who had brought a birthday gift bag!
Kathy had told everyone - but me - that all she wanted for her birthday was family and friends to join her on the NAMI walk in Sanders' memory.
I cannot recall ever feeling so loved before. Even today, words escape me. I have put off writing this journal entry until today - sister Debbie's birthday - because I didn't know what to say; how to say it; or, whether I should attempt to say anything.
I've told people about Kathy's birthday wish. Some have cried. I know why they cried.
For Kathy to be so loved by her family and friends is the greatest gift she'll ever receive. Why, then, do I feel like it was my birthday gift? Probably because, as Kathy said, "We simply wanted you to know that we all miss Sanders every day, too."
No
w, isn't it clear why this entry was so hard to do?
Reader Comments (2)
your writings are so profound. Have you ever thought of publishing your thoughts. They are beautiful and really touch others deeply.Some of these thoughts may also help you as well as others if they are published
What a kind and loving gift! You have a sister to really treasure. My thoughts were with you all through April, and now we have made it to May with more re-brith, re-flowering, and a fullness of the life and the memories of those we really miss. I spent the weekend backpacking in Pisgah Forest outside of Brevard, and I thought of Sanders every step of the way.