BIRTHDAYS is this week's prompt.
My mom died in 2015.
Every year since I think about mom on my birthday.
This year we had our oldest son and our daughter-in-law visiting from Ontario. They surprised me arriving the day before my birthday. I was completely shocked when I turned around at the local Starbucks to discover the two of them standing there when I thought they were on the other side of Canada. I was so confused my son had to take his mask down and say "Happy Birthday Mom" for me to understand they were actually standing in front of me.
On the morning of my birthday the 4 of us were sitting at the table drinking our warm beverage of choice when my daughter-in-law asked if I had ever considered getting my nose pierced. She said she wanted to get a second ring behind the one she already had, and thought it would be fun for us to go together.
HMMMMMM --
had I ever really considered getting my nose pierced?
UHHHHH -- no.
I am petrified of needles, and have always wondered how those with nose piercings manage to blow their noses, but was afraid to ask.
BUT -- every year on my birthday I think about my mom.
What exactly does my mom have to do with a pierced nose?
That is a fantastic question!!!
My mom stayed with us from the time of her diagnosis until her death. During that time we had many heart to heart conversations. After a discussion about how challenging I had been as a teenager she mentioned that she always thought I would get a tattoo or a nose piercing after I left home. She mentioned how cute she thought I would look with my nose pierced. At the time I laughed, and said I had no plan to get my nose pierced at almost 50 years of age.
Over the past 6+ years I have thought about this discussion a lot, and wondered if maybe it wouldn't be so hard to blow your nose with a piece of jewelry inside of it.
Back to the warm beverage discussion at the table on the morning of my birthday.
I tell them about my mom's thoughts about my having a nose piercing.
The next thing I know we have appointments for nose piercings at a top reviewed reputable shop downtown for that afternoon.
When we walked in she asked who was going first.
I said me.
In my head I was thinking there is no way I can see what actually is going to happen & then get it done myself.
I must go first!
I am known for researching everything very carefully, but this time I went in blind.
Our piercer was very good.
It barely hurt -
well it hurt more than I had hoped, but less that I had expected.
My daughter-in-law held my hand & told me how brave I was.
In the weeks since I have discovered that blowing my nose is no different than before.
It no longer hurts even when I sleep on my left side.
I have already chosen my next nose stud --- it's a dragonfly!
Remembering my mommy!!!
In 2019 Mom visited me:
And brought dad along too:
I will be forever grateful for this experience my daughter-in-law and I shared on their surprise visit to see us.
We had the best time, and have fantastic memories.
Creating memories with those we love!
UPDATED to add: I got my dragonfly as an early Christmas present!
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***
Sources:
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/
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