Missed Call

I was born on my Nana's birthday and she has always made sure to tell me that I was the best birthday present she has ever gotten.

As I got older, it was a game between us to see who could call the other one first on our day...it's something that we have continued.

On our day this year, I was the first to make the call.  The phone rang and rang and I left her a message to wish her a Happy Birthday, let her know I was thinking about her, and to tell her I love her.  I went on with my birthday celebrations as planned.

When I got home later on in the afternoon, the red light on the answering machine was blinking. 

When I was little, I loved to hear my Nana sing in church and she would bless us at Christmas time by singing a few carols while my Mom played the piano for her.  I will always cherish those memories.

I pressed the button on the answering machine and my Nana started to sing "Happy Birthday".  After the first line, I sat down in the chair at the counter, with tears in my eyes and just listened...taking in every note, every word, every minute.  And I smiled when, at the end, I could hear my Papa singing along to me in the background.

I have never been so thankful for a missed call.  It was truly the best birthday present I got this year.