71

Today would be my rock-star granny's 71st Birthday. Last year, when she celebrated 70, we visited her in double bedroom at the Institute of Oncology. My mom brought big plate of home-made cookies and we were only able to stay there for about 15 minutes altogether, because the nurse was getting her ready for scheduled chemotherapy. Just as we were about to go, the door opened and in came a lady in her late forties, maybe early fifties, followed by her distressed husband. She was just told that she had advanced cancer and needs to start with chemo right away. When she saw our little birthday celebration she finally broke down and burst into tears. I remember my mum hugging her and telling her she should struggle and be brave and not to give in. 

It was the most emotional birthday celebration I ever attended. In the small room of the Institute of Oncology with my mum and granny and two strangers, whose world just collapsed. Mine collapsed two months later when I said my last goodbye to granny in this same building. She struggled till the end, and I knew she would, so I sincerely didn't worry too much about that on her 70th birthday. With her courage, attitude and strong will she could easily live for 100 years and I hoped she would. But sometimes great, brave and unbreakable personalities get to live in unfairly weak bodies and that was exactly her case.

I still cry for you, I can't help it.

Happy Birthday, I will think of you always.