A couple of weeks ago it was my birthday, it was the 26th anniversary of my 21st! I took a call from a customer that orders from us regularly, she is one of my corporate clients that normally orders newborn baby gifts or get well gift baskets for their staff, so I thought when she called it would be a regular order for one of their employees. Not this day, it was her sisters birthday, same day as me and I was quite chirpy on the phone when I heard that information, further into the conversation it turns out that her sister had passed away about 8 months before, boy that knocked the wind out of my sails, how sad.
She had an idea to send her Sisters little boys, 4 & 6, some goodies for them to remember the day as Mum’s special day and to celebrate. She also wanted to add about 5 pink balloons to the gifts, this is where I choked up with tears, her card message to the boys was “Balloons are for Mum and the chocolates are for you”. I had to take her details quickly and hang up because I was about to have a big sob.
I personally, as would many people, have had a similar life stories as both my father and brother passed away due to cancer, the ones that are left behind have their lives changed forever. It is a tough situation to go through, but I am grateful I had them in my life and think of them every day and celebrate their life on those big occasions like birthdays and Christmas. I thought this was a wonderful idea for the kids to remember their Mum’s birthday and to send the balloons to heaven.
The gift was a success, she told me later that her sister fought cancer like a warrior and made them all laugh and smile through the worst of it. I know I will always remember these amazing people on my birthday every year from now on.
