This Saturday, 15 February was my 48th birthday.
The kids were all away for the weekend, the first time ever all 3 have been away together and how nice it would have been to have a great day out, eating, theatre etc! But to be honest I was just not up to doing anything, although we have seen slow improvements this week, I just didn’t have the energy to do anything. It was going to be a very quiet day. So after trying to catch up on a bit of sleep in the morning, Sue woke me up and presented me with a pile of cards.
That’s when the day got better!
As I started on opening the cards, there seemed to be more than I would normally expect, which would usually be about 6, but this pile had a least 20! The usual family cards were there, but most of them were from friends who wouldn’t normally know it was birthday anyway. Each card contained words to encourage me and another bit of paper which had a value of its own (money).
I must say I was totally blown away and wasn’t quite sure what was going on. But it certainly brightened up what was promising to be a quiet day. By the time I got dressed and went downstairs there were more cards through the letterbox and this trend continued through the whole day. By time we went to bed I had received 48 cards like this and all of these cards were from friends in the ‘Band of Brothers’. It was like a constant shower of blessing throughout the day.
The ‘Band of Brothers’ is a group of 90+ men at the church and for the last 5 years I have been involved in running this group of men. They have been an amazing encouragement to me and the family during the course of my illness. It is this group of guys who have travelled daily with me for my radiotherapy sessions to Guys. It was Maurice Clarke who organised this day of blessings, as a way to bless and encourage me during my time of recovery. Thank you guys it has done the job it intended and it definitely made our quiet day one to remember.
Thanks
Neil
February 20, 2014
Dear Neil,
Congratulations on reaching this grand age, you still have a long way to go to catch me up.
Thank you for keeping us in touch, the real miracle here is the way you have kept going. I don’t think any of us really understand all that you have been through, showing absolutely remarkable courage and strength. Sue has been a brick as usual.
We hope and pray for happier days as the Spring comes.
With love and prayers
Richard and Rachel.
February 17, 2014
Well done Neil. It is so good to read your blog and to see what God is doing in you. We know so many at soul survivor who are going through similar and some fantastic testimonies of healing and restoration. Praying for your improvement to continue and grow in pace . God bless
Ian
February 17, 2014
Hi Neil,
it was great to share your birthday day with you and Sue and to witness the blessings that you were receiving throughout the day. You are very loved indeed, not only by us your parents and family members but so many other folk as well. All you need to do now is concentrate on being fully restored in every possible way. Hope you pre op assessment today goes well. We love you and the family loads and loads.
February 17, 2014
Happy Belated Birthday… Now that you’ve told all your 108 followers, not to mention your Twitter fans, you’ll get even more cards next year… Glad you enjoyed your Birthday and that you are feeling chirpier. All best wishes for your continued recovery L
February 17, 2014
Sorry you’re having such a hard time Neil, my prayer for you is that your reward for enduring all this so bravely is that it will end and you’ll go forward into good health again with this being something that is firmly in your past. Like a cloud passing over and the sun coming out. It’s really uplifting to see that you are being cared for and supported by friends and church family. Keep the blogposts coming when you have the energy!