"If you could change anything would you?" I asked Annie last night during her birthday dinner. As her hearing is failing her, even with the hearing aide, she just smiled. I repeated myself, and she answered thinking I was referring to dinner, "No-no, I am happy with what is on my plate."
As we ate I thought about how true that is: Annie takes each bite of life as it comes and gracefully moves with it. She doesn't dwell on the past, the negative, she manages to take it as it served, tasting the richness and putting aside that which isn't going to feed her in the long run.
Like my own Mother, Annie is capable of knowing what she has to do, and does it, without getting caught up with needing praise, recognition, or who should do what and when. I admire that self less quality that they have, and hope one day to have it under my belt as well.
After dinner we walked hand in arm, back to the car, the evening sky had a single star shining brightly overhead. Annie and I noticed it at the same time. "Let's make a wish!" Annie said hers outloud, "My wish it to be able to give back to you my God, in gratitude, all that I have been given in this beautiful life."
I swallowed hard, held back my tears… lessons of love made evident from a friend I hope lives as long as I am alive and then some.
If you could change anything would you?
Thank you for the birthday wishes you added in the comment section yesterday! They really added to the flavor of the day!
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