Daddy's birthday

[Mommy]

Hi Sweet Michael,

Thank you. Thank you for sending a birthday wish to your dad today. You are amazing in the ways you reach out to us. Just like that summer you visited me in '08 when deep grief got the best of me and I drank too much red wine and landed in emergency. Remember?  As they began to wheel me out to a room, I turned to look just as they unplugged the monitor displaying my vital signs, and with a stab to my heart I remembered the last time I looked at one of those monitors...yours, in ICU in China. Without skipping a beat my cell phone rang and I picked it up from where it lay on my stomach. And it was you!!! The last recorded message from you from April 24, 2007 wishing Mother, your dear grandmother a belated happy birthday. You had used that message before and have continued to use it to make contact. I know. And thank you. Today was another of those times. Daddy and I were relaxing quietly and I reached for my phone because someone had called. But first came the recorded message from you. Your birthday wish to your dad.Your timing is always impeccable.

You are so close, for just a few moments. It feels so good. I know you are watching over all of us and we have all felt you. If people only knew that it is in the quiet moments that the channels open up.

I love you forever and always,

Mom