Not Your Typical Birthday Party

I went home this past weekend for a very special date in my family. April 21^st is my brother’s birthday, so I went home to celebrate but the reason way we celebrate is a little unorthodox. My brother passed away almost four years ago so we like to celebrate, not only to remember him, but also just to be together as a family and remind each other how much love we still have for each other and Adam even though he isn’t there to celebrate with us.

His birthday is a tough day for all of us. He was 19 when the accident happened so on Saturday we celebrated his 23^rd birthday. The celebrations typically have been the same each year. We start each day doing something as a family. This year we went for a bike ride and then went and picked up supplies for the afternoon. After eating lunch and hanging out all day, my parents, uncle and I went down to the cemetery. My mom likes to go at sunset because sunsets are her favorite so we went at sunset.

Every year we always do a balloon launch. We go to the store and get whatever number balloons for his age so this year we had 23. Each of us and whoever else comes with us (family, friends of ours, etc.) usually writes a note on a piece of paper and ties it to the balloon. These are our “letters to Heaven.” It is a tradition we will always hold near and dear to our hearts. So, while the music plays and the balloons fly, we just sit and find peace and solace where we are. It can be challenging but my family is great support for me to lean on and I have a ton of friends standing behind me when I need help back up.

After leaving the cemetery we head back home from dinner (which varies) and ice cream cake because we ALWAYS have ice cream cake for birthdays in my family. It’s always comforting because ice cream cake is my favorite for one, and it always reminds me of old times for two. It’s nice to just sit around the table and laugh and talk with family and friends about past, present, present and future and just enjoy fellowship and the love we have for one another.

After a long day filled with all sorts of different emotions, it was nice to just sit down on the couch and relax. Of course, within 5 minutes my parents were both asleep and I was left to just reflect on the day and sit back and thank God for what I had. Yes, our day of celebration wasn’t the happiest and as cheery as a normal birthday party, yes, it is one of the most stressful days I personally go through dealing with the loss of my brother, but the lessons it has taught, the love it has inspired and the relationships it has brought into our lives are things to always be thankful for.

Side note: I didn’t intend on writing a sad blog, but I really chose to open up on this one after having the weekend I did. If you made it this far, I want to personally thank you for sticking it out and just taking the time to listen. I hope you enjoyed and it.