avatarKim McKinney

Summary

The article reflects on the complex emotions of celebrating a birthday amidst the challenges of Alzheimer's, marking the 83rd birthday and a 64th wedding anniversary without a deceased spouse.

Abstract

The author contemplates the bittersweet nature of celebrating their mother's 83rd birthday, which coincides with her 64th wedding anniversary. The mother, who has been battling Alzheimer's, has lost much of her memory, including that of her late husband, whom she married six decades ago. Despite her current inability to find joy in life, the family gathers to honor her with her favorite birthday cake, hoping for a moment of happiness amidst her melancholy. The day is also a commemoration of her enduring marriage, as the family eats together and tries to alleviate her sadness. The article, inspired by a writer's prompt from Lucy The Eggcademic, acknowledges the inherent sadness of the situation but emphasizes the importance of writing about personal truths.

Opinions

  • The author believes that birthday cake symbolizes the joy of life and should evoke happiness, which contrasts with the current reality of their mother's situation.
  • There is a sense of obligation and hope in attempting to celebrate and bring joy to the mother, despite her condition and the absence of her husband.
  • The author expresses a mix of optimism and concern about their ability to maintain a cheerful disposition during the celebration.
  • The act of writing about personal experiences is seen as cathartic and necessary, even when the subject matter is inherently sad.
  • The author values the connections and memories associated with food, particularly in the context of family gatherings and milestones.

A Taste of Birthday Cake

Can it be a happy birthday?

Photo by Bellava G on Unsplash

It’s her birthday, Number eighty-three, And the end of the first year When Alzheimer’s stole much of her mind.

It is also the day Of her wedding anniversary; Sixty-four years ago She married our dad.

She does not celebrate life Since he died four years ago But yet we try to celebrate her, And them, anyway.

I will buy her favorite cake, Decorated in ribbons and bows and flowers, And hope it is one of the good days Where she can find joy.

Regardless she will be surrounded By her children and her best friend As we eat soup and birthday cake And attempt to ease her melancholy.

Birthday cake Should be a happy food Celebrating the joy of life, Shouldn’t it?

Thanks to Lucy The Eggcademic (she/her) for this writer’s prompt and challenge. I didn’t mean for it to be sad, but it's what was on my mind and that tends to be what you should write about!

I tag Kristie Darling, Randy Shingler, Anu Anniah, Sydney Duke Richey, and Samantha Lazar. You’re all amazing and you know I don’t think you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to or don’t have time for, but if you do, you know I will read! ❤

Kim McKinney loves a good birthday cake (a really good one -not the icky ones that put cake to shame) and thankfully has mostly enjoyed beautiful celebrations around them. But this month her family will try to get the celebration going, depending on the mood of the birthday girl on that particular day. She is optimistic, but she may be overestimating her own humor.

Poetry
Food
Relationships
Health
Poetry Prompt
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarremi ;༊
the art of disappearing

Summer Strike (2022)

2 min read
avatarcherie
the loneliest object in the world.

"What do you think is the loneliest object in the world?" he asked.

5 min read
avatarvina’s memories captured on pages
A letter of all the things I couldn’t say

Love doesn’t arrive by invitation; it unfolds because we surrender to it.

4 min read
avatarMoonstar
If I were you, I’d leave me too

don’t get me wrong, I just hate that nothing blooms since you.

3 min read
avatarNabila A. Mirandini
As A Woman, I Feel Sorry. But, As A Daughter, I’m Angry

She didn’t give me what I wanted as a daughter, but she gave me what I needed as a grown-up woman.

2 min read
avatarkeng
Cause when I’m with you, life is something I could manage

2 min read