Birthday Boy

Nicholas woke up this morning, 23 years old and better than ever.  With a heart that is healing and a wired sternum that is knitting itself back together, he is stronger every day.  Hard to believe he had OHS just one week ago tomorrow.

We had the day off so what did we do?  We walked to St. Mary's, caught the Mayo shuttle to the downtown campus where he had his first appointments, then walked around and visited all the underground shops.  It was good for Nicholas to walk. 

I bought the writer a book in a Nordic shop where coats cost up to a thousand dollars and a simple sweater could be yours for just under 200.  Lucky for this Mama, Scandinavian sayings are extremely affordable.

...

Many weeks ago when I knew he'd spend his birthday here and we wouldn't be able to do presents and a full production, I shamelessly solicited co-workers, friends and family for birthday cards.  My heart was full packing over 60 cards and letters into my luggage and I've gotten secret delivers here via UPS and USPS bringing the total to well over 70.

While Nicholas and I were away this afternoon, Mark walked to the bakery Nicholas and I visited before he had surgery and picked up a dozen cupcakes I'd ordered.

 After we returned, I secretly decorated the living with stupid decorations I picked up in a dollar store weeks before we left.  I remember biting my lip while I was shopping for them. Knowing I had to buy cheap, disposable cheer for my son because I expected to be taping it to a hospital room wall. 

Little did I know...

He was blown away when he walked into the room and stood there staring at 70 plus cards, a dozen cupcakes and a window full of Happy Birthday.

"These have my name on them", he said.  "How, Mom"?  "Where did all these come from?" 

Nicholas propped his girlfriend Tara against his breathing treatment appratus and we Face Timed so she could celebrate with him too.

He was deeply touched and I could tell he was humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love and it was all for him.  

All for him.  

And that is why we are here. 

So that he can have many, many, many more.

Happy Birthday Nichoals Cameron Holt.  

I love you to the moon and Rochester, Minnesota and back...to Tallahassee.