Eleven. James just turned 11 years old. How is that possible? I’m not talking about the fact that he’s survived this long with all of his medical issues—although I have always been amazed at how resilient he is with all of the obstacles he faces. No, I am actually wondering how it is possible that he’s 11 years old already. Sometimes it seems like it was just last year that we were driving back and forth to visit him in the NICU. But here we are, just a couple of years away from having a teenager. That’s a scary thought, isn’t it?
Before we get to this year’s birthday, let’s take a quick look back at James’ birthday pics from the past ten years, shall we?
We’ve always had themed birthday parties for James. Some years it was easy to come up with a theme. Other years, it was a bit of a challenge. With coronavirus running around, and the resulting social distancing, lock downs and mask wearing, this year’s theme was pretty easy: Quarantine.
Even though we couldn’t have a normal birthday party for James this year, we still wanted to do something to celebrate. But what? In March, after covid forced school to go remote, some of James’ teachers and therapists arranged a drive by our house so that James could see them in person and not through the computer screen. What if we did something like that for his birthday? A parade of cars driving by, honking, and wishing him a Happy Birthday?
Stacy asked friends and family if they would be interested in doing a birthday parade for James and everyone said yes. We asked anyone who was interested in taking part in the parade to meet at the elementary school a few blocks from our house on Saturday, decorate their cars if they wanted to, and then drive by our house to wish James a Happy Birthday. We were amazed by the amount of people that showed up. Thank you all for showing James so much love!
Here is a video of the parade. Sorry the quality isn’t the greatest.
What’s a birthday party without some sweets? Stacy found a local baker who made a bunch of cookies for us to pass out to the people that were in the parade.
One of James’ aides from school also offered to make him a birthday cake. James can’t eat by mouth so he would be unable to eat it, but we accepted it anyway. Is that wrong? Stacy and I like cake, and what’s a birthday party without cake?
This definitely wasn’t a normal birthday party, but it will be one to remember. Thanks again to all of those that took part in the parade, made the cookies and cake, and showed James some love on his birthday.
