Happy 67th Birthday Sandy

I have been participating in various MS Walks since I was first diagnosed in 2009.  I started in Ohio and continued when I moved to Oregon. They have all been really special, but the Corvallis, OR walk this year is on a very special date. 

Had my mother been alive today, she would have celebrated her 67^th birthday on May 9. That just so happens to be the date for the Corvallis (and Eugene) walk this year. So my team, the Nutria Fan Club, will be partying this year at the walk. There will be party hats, noisemakers and CAKE!  I’m sure to get some people to join us with the promise of cake.

I don’t remember exactly when she was diagnosed with MS, but I do remember it in the summer and I think I was 13 or so.  Although looking back on her medical history, her neurologist deduced that she must had been living with the disease for at least 20 years at that point. One particular event stood out in her mind after my brother Joe was born when she went blind for two weeks. At the time, her doctors thought she was stressed from having a new baby. She found that hard to believe since he was such a good baby.  (I find THAT hard to believe since I know my brother.)

Even with such a life-changing diagnosis, she had a good attitude about having MS and was quite self deprecating. Not being able to walk very straight due to her disability, she would say that if she put a flask in her back pocket, no one would ask questions. She even scared us a little bit with her sense of humor. When her friend and coworker with whom she carpooled would call her in the morning before work and ask my mother if she would want to drive. Even though she had vision problems, she would just point out that since it was dark outside in the early morning hours, she didn't really need to see anyway. Then when her feet would go numb, she’d call them her Spongebob feet. One of the last Christmas presents she gave me was a Spongebob Squarepants blanket. I still cuddle with it today when I feel like I need to feel her close.

Even when she learned she had cancer, she still had a positive outlook and a joke to share. Sadly, she lost the battle in September of 2004. I miss her every day and know she would have fallen in love with my daughter. (Who wouldn't?) I miss her the most when I’m having a bad day with fatigue or pain. Although there are ways to talk with others with MS thanks to the National MS Society, it just wouldn't be the same as having my mother to talk to about various symptoms and obstacles.

I want to celebrate her on her birthday this year. I want to thank her for teaching me how to be positive and be able to laugh at myself. It makes things a little easier. And because my mother would never let us combine the days or the presents, we will also celebrate the following day since it will be Mother’s Day. On that day I will reflect on the 23 wonderful years I had with her and rejoice in the fact that I have a Sandra (my daughter) in my life once again. 

All donations I receive for this year's MS Walk will be birthday presents to my mom.  If you would like to give my mom a present this year, go to my National MS Society Walk fundraising site. It is tax deductible.  When was the last time you gave a present that was tax deductible?

For anyone who donates $67, I will post a picture of my mommy on Facebook with a special thank you.

Are you  jealous of our mother/daughter perms?