Hedviga Golik disappeared in 1966. She just vanished. Or did she? Turns out, she has been sitting , quite dead, in front of her television in her own living room for the last 42 years. I swear, I could not make this stuff up.
2 Comments » Posted by Hugh / @aside
Yesterday was Renee’s birthday and, honestly, it was not going so well. You see, she was in the hospital after a weekend of scary heart issues and she was a bit depressed at the prospect of spending her birthday in the hospital.
Around noon, some friends of our stopped by and that cheered her up. Then the doctor came by and told her she could go home, and that really cheered her up.
As we were packing up to leave, some friends called and said they were coming by the hospital, but I told them we were leaving, so they planned to come by my house instead. We are not home long, when they show up, complete with birthday cake and ice cream and presents and birthday cards. Renee was glowing at this point…
And then, some more friends dropped in to see her (and eat birthday cake and ice cream) and then more friends stopped by and brought more cake and hugs and well wishes. And while all this was happening a friend who had been out of town called to say she was dropping by the hospital on her way home, and we gave her the good news.
After everyone left, we went out to eat at one of Renee’s favorite restaraunts and then stopped at a coffee shop and reflected over a latte at how awesome our friends are. As we pulled up in my driveway, the friend who had been out of town pulled up behind us and came up and we all sat, and laughed and reflected and laughed some more and played with kittens. When she left, Renee turned to me and gave me a big hug and told me that this had ended up being her best birthday ever.
The remarkable thing about all of this is that none of it was planned or coordinated. It all just happened out of genuine love and affection for us. That is the value of community.
To all our friends who emailed, prayed, visited, brought cake, ate cake, called and visited… thank you for making my girl’s birthday special and thank you very much for loving us.
No Comments » Posted by Hugh / friends