Monday, April 11, 2011

Happy 40th Birthday to ME!

Dear friends,

Today isn't my birthday, but it did manage to slip by yesterday.  Before I get going, I'd like to share a story with you.


Once upon a time there was a little girl who experienced so many things for the first time, but couldn't, can't, won't, etc remember any of it.  She began her life much like any other baby, but we don't know exactly when, where, how much she weighed or how long she was.  She doesn't remember her birth.  She had a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th birthday, but she doesn't remember...

Then one day, she and her biological brother were dropped off at a market and were picked up by the police and transported to a local hospital and then off to an orphange... she doesn't remember.

Soon after, she and her younger brother were adopted by a beautiful couple from the United States.  A plane ride was to be had on the biggest, loudest, wonder of a plane, but she doesn't remember.  After the plane, there was a 2 hour ride home in a new car, with new people but she doens't remember.

The little girl and her younger brother now have a new home with so many new options and a future that has no boundaries... that date was April 9th, 1976.  The next day this little girl turned 5, but she doesn't remember.  That September, this little girl started Kindergarten, but she doesn't remember.

I did start remembering things eventually and life was good... you know normal just like everyone else.  I celebrate this 40th birthday with an entire bag of mixed emotions.  Normally, we would have teased one another about the big 40 and then laughed because its just a number.  Yet on the other hand, I would have never imagined that I would have started my 40th year in the position that I am...

Even though yesterday slipped by while I was mostly sleeping and not feeling so great with the complete understanding that this 40th birthday was literally the worst one I've ever had, I still felt loved and encompassed by all of you who are fighting this battle with me.

I'm going to relish this month of April because there are going to be many good things happening and I'm hoping that this chemo break will give me lots of extra energy to continue on.

Here is a card that I created last week.  Its the floral theme... can't wait for all the real flowers to really start blooming.  I have to re-make the birthday card I made for myself because I forgot to take a picture of it and left it at the infusion center with the cookies that Lisa made for me.


And here are the cookies that Lisa made for me to celebrate my birthday with the nurses!


Thank you all for celebrating with me.

Until next time.

-Katie

50 comments:

jackib said...

Happy Birthday, Katie! From a lonely place when you were such a little one to such a loving place now. So many friends and family and strangers to wrap you in love and strength - to wish for you the very best - to share your pain. You are a beautiful 40!

Diane Mars said...

What lovely story, and yet so sad... it sure is wonderful how our memories as children slip away... we too had struggles a large family of 7 children, now I hold onto all the good memories. This 40th Birthday is a milestone for you you will get better and all this a blur of the past. Have a wonderful break from Chemo. Hugs and kisses from California~

Jessie said...

Happy Belated Birthday! What an amazing story you have. You are an amazing woman!

Anonymous said...

just makes me love you more.
Hugs!
em

Leslie said...

Katie, Happy belated birthday. AND MANY MANY MANY MORE!!!!!!

I am always so happy to see a new post by you as it tells me you are feeling better, and I pray getting stronger.

I pray God bless you with wonderful health in this your 41st year.

Geny said...

Happy Birthday, hope you are feeling a bit better today! And this month will bring you many good times and happy memories with your family! Lots of hugs coming your way ♥!

Joan B said...

beautiful card! always start with the card, right? I thought of you on your birthday knowing that it would be a huge bag of emotions. Your life story is stunning. absolutely stunning. I'm so glad you and your brother ended up together with good parents. Amazing.

I hope April is bouncing with good stuff for you and your family. Joan

Mrs. Nancy G said...

Oh, I have so much love you dear friend. Here's to hoping that your next birthday will be better!

HUGS,
~nance

Lauren Loves To Scrap said...

Happy Birthday! Hoping April is a great month for you!

Bobbi-Lynn said...

Happy 40th, Katie. I am sorry it isn't a better birthday, but next year will be because you are enduring this now. Just reading about your childhood shows how resilient and strong you are, from the very beginning until now. You're always in my prayers.

Sandie said...

I knew you were gonna make me cry.. I'm a soppy cow :)

I wished you a happy birthday already but no harm in doing it twice, eh?!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Robyn said...

Hi Katie! Thank you for sharing so much of you with us! We love you and hope that you have a fabulous year being forty. Hugs from Australia for your birthday! Robyn

Ted said...

Katie! I knew there was a reason I liked you. From one April baby to another, may God bless you with an extra special year and may you have 40+ more birthdays! :)

Tricia T said...

Happy, happy birthday, Katie. Savor every moment of your break and let your body rest and heal. I pray it will be a good month for you!!!

Marg said...

They say that 'life begins at 40' I hope the life that is beginning for you now is filled with happiness and much better health.
Thank you for sharing your 'not remembered' childhood - you make me feel so humble.

Sue from Oregon said...

Oh My Katie, what a story you have to tell! You really should write a book! Happy belated birthday to you! Hugs, Sue Kment

Nancy said...

That's quite the beginning to your life story, Katie... a happy happy birthday to you.

Anita said...

Happy birthday! Thanks for sharing your story! You are in my prayers.

Christine said...

Happy Birthday! What an incredible story! Enjoy your time off from chemo and have fun with your family. You are always in my prayers. God Bless You!

Lorraine said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Katie! Wow, thanks for sharing your story. So sad, but I'm glad you both ended up with a loving family! Prayers that this year turns out to be a positive and fulfilling year for you!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you. Please know that your blog inspires me. When my life is spirling down, you are so positive that I have hope.

Sue said...

Very happy birthday for yesterday and many, many more of them. Hope you start to feel stronger real soon.

Chantell said...

Happy belated birthday Katie. Hope you feel better soon and that you will enjoy your break with your family.

Chantell - South Africa

Made by Mandy said...

I too am 40 this year and I am looking forward to a happier life being finally released from the shackles and unhappiness in my past.

We are fighters and we will get through this together. You have so much love and support from everyone around you both in physical space and cyberspace.

I truly hope that if this was your worst birthday then next year will be the best knowing that you have survived the big C and kicked it into touch.

Thankyou for sharing your story of how you came to America. No matter how bad things get in my life I know things happen for a reason.

Love you and your fighting spirit xxx

Steph Mitchell said...

I hear 40 is the new 30!! I hope and pray that this coming year will be filled with many blessings and happier than the last one!

I loved reading your life story and admire your courage to keep going despite all the difficulties life has thrown your way!

Judy said...

A sad, but heartwarming story Katie and I'm glad such a lovely family found you. Maybe you forgot to celebrate your 40th birthday but my wish to you is that there will be many more birthdays for you to remember and enjoy. Hoping you have a period of calm and happiness while you have a break from your chemo. Hugs from New Zealand.

Linda said...

Happy late Birthday.
Love the flower card, I have been so loving bright colors and bright pop of flowers lately.

I pray that you will have strength and joy to face this year, no matter what comes, the grace that you are showing is amazing.

Love and hugs and prayers for a good chemo break, and a spring full of flowers brighter then you are imagining. God Bless

Becky Jo said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Katie! Looking forward to celebrating a better 41st birthday with you! Your story touched my heart! Hugs and Blessings!!

Grandma Nancy said...

Happy Birthday Katie!! (April 11th was my 60th birthday!!) So we will celebrate together even though we are on opposite sides of the country. You are very special and so many people love you and are praying for you. I hope Kevin and the boys gave you extra love for this one! I know they did! God bless you.

Karen B said...

Happy Birthday! Your writing touches my heart, I wish you all the best, wonderful times with your family, strength, and many more birthdays to celebrate your life!

cheryl (clee') said...

A belated Happy Birthday, Katie! I know what you mean about the typical "it's just a number" birthday jokes. Too many people wish not to get old(er), but I say, bring it on! When so many in my family didn't live to see 70, my simple wish is just to be old and healthy. Wishing that for you too!

~amy~ said...

happy belated and love your happy spring card...your story is amazing...

Whimcees said...

Happy Birthday Katie girl!

God's blessing that you came to a family who would love and care for you and your brother and grew up to be the beautiful woman that you are today - now with your own sweet family.

I love the birthday cookies - the shapes and colors are wonderful! It is so good to see your creations again - and your cards are lovely!

Wishing you all good things in this 40th year! You are in my prayers always.

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Axes DesigNs said...

Happy B-day to you!!! God Bless you as always! my prayers are with you.. Kisses :)

Magdalena

LaurieJ said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you Katie! Thank you for sharing your touching story with us. Here's wishing you strength, joy, and boundless love in the year to come.
Laurie xoxo

Jodi Collins said...

Happy Birthday Katie! I hope this April is the best ever!!! Hugs!

Curt in Indy said...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KATIE! Wow, what an amazing story. So glad you shared with us. Sorry you slept through most of it. Love your bright, Springy card. Best, Curt

AShu93 said...

Happy Belated Birthday! You have such an inspiring story. I hope these are the saddest days & that each tomorrow brings more & more happiness.

Dinahsoar said...

I wish you at least 40 more birthdays, better than all the previous ones to date!!

Shazza said...

belated birthday wishes x

Gina said...

Happy Birthday Sweetheart, wishing you Health Wealth and Happiness :D XXX

donna calamari said...

Happy Birthday Katie. You are surrounded by people who love you. Enjoy that wealth.
I am sure that others, as well as myself, would love to hear more about your family -- your brother and parents. I hope you will share more.

kathlee said...

Happy Birthday Katie! May you have many many more! I have had 5 bonus birthdays....next year you will boast your first! God bless you! Stay strong.
Kathie

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Happy birthday, Katie! Thank you for sharing this very compelling story. You are an inspiration!

Pursuit of Stampiness - Calgary, Canada said...

Dear Katie.

Thanks for sharing your story. It brought tears to my eyes. Fighting cancer is such an unfair battle. So overwhelming, painfull and difficult at the same time. I am so sad for you that you are having to deal with this in your life!
I hope and pray with so many that healing will come to your body. That peace will come.

God has plans of hope for your life. Don't give up. I know it is an easy thing to say for me.. & I am sorry if it sounds cheap. I don't mean it that way.

Thansk again for sharing your heart and thoughts with us. I hope you will have some beautiful moments in this day! Although it almost seems impossible when your body is so sick.

Stay close to Him!
Inky hugs, Pauline

http://thepursuitofstampiness.blogspot.com

Michie B said...

Happy Birthday Katie! Funny that you are going through this at your 40th, my hubby was diagnosed with his lymphoma just after his 40th. Cheers to you on your special day!

Barb Turpin said...

Happy belated birthday Katie! Hope this post finds you feeling a little better...I went through chemo for breast cancer which is mild compared to stomach cancer...good luck and know that you're in the thoughts and prayers of many!

Donna said...

Happy belated birthday hun, thank you so much for sharing your story with us, it really touched me. Big birthday hugs to you. Donna x

Charlene Austin said...

Hi sweet Katie. So you are an Aries! No wonder you are so fabulous~~the best people in my life are always Aries. I think of you often and always pray for the best for you. If I could make all the flowers bloom for you believe me I would! Hugs to you. Oh and welcome to the 40 club. I got here first just to welcome you. heehee.

Anonymous said...

Here's to the next 4 0 years Katie!! love and hugs

Pauline XXX

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