Birthdays with Thomas
The flowers are blooming and the hummingbirds are singing as Melinda sits in the rose garden of Masonic Village nursing home. She is reminiscing on old times as she awaits her exuberant family’s arrival. The nursing home has been Melinda’s new residency ever since Thomas passed away a week ago. Thomas had fought a long and hard battle to lung cancer for three years now. Unfortunately he has broken the promise that him and Melinda had made; to be with each other for every birthday. Melinda knew this was unrealistic but agreed to the promise for Thomas’s sake.
“Thomas you are one hell of a dreamer!” Melinda shouted at Thomas as he dragged on about living on an island with his beautiful wife. That’s what she loved about him most, he had a gargantuan imagination that not even a toddler could keep up with. They tied the knot at age eighteen and began having children right away. Mary-Elizabeth came within the year, followed by Thomas Benjamin II, Lilly-Ann ,and Joseph “Little Joey” George. The family lived an exultant life filled with laughter, love and an impeccable bond impossible to break.
“Mom!” Lilly-Ann shouted, but what really sounded like a howl. Melinda had lost herself in thinking about the life she had shared with her late husband. She didn’t realize how late it was and was tardy to her own birthday party. Lily-Ann pushed her down the long dim halls of the nursing home until they arrived at the recreational room.
When the doors of the Rec room opened, Melinda put her hand over her mouth in awe and was completely speechless. The room was jampacked with the people nearest and dearest to her and the warmth and love was felt instantly. The night went on, stories and cocktails were shared and everything was flawless. However, when Melinda caught a moment to herself she looked around at her exquisite family. With a smirk on her face, she raised her Manhattan and called out for a toast. “This one is for you Thomas, because you are...