So now Im 33.
Yesterday, as many of you noticed, was my birthday. First and foremost let me start by saying how honored and humbled by all the kind words posted on my Facebook wall or just flat out texted/called me. Making sure to thank everyone first is something I learned a long time ago by someone who will be the majority of the subject matter of this post.
<Spoiler alert things are about to get a little sad and a little metaphysical>
For 32 of the last 33 I received a letter in the mail from a wonderful woman, my Cousin Rainy. She didn’t send a card this year and won’t be sending me anymore because she passed away earlier this year. While I am an adult and I understand that this is all part of life, her passing really struck me last night.
I came home from work and checked the mail and didn’t see a letter from anyone wishing me a happy a birthday. I got a couple of cards in the last few days. It’s always nice to get mail on your birthday that isn’t a bill. But there was nothing from Rainy. I don’t know why I expected there to be I knew she had passed, normally people who die don’t send you birthday cards, however I’m sure it’s happened in some form in the past.
When something happens every year like clockwork you just expect it to always happen, then life reminds you that nothing is forever. It’s not a bad thing, it can actually be something of a good thing. Death reminds you that nothing will ever be forever so you would do well to cherish everything you have. However, that’s not entirely fair.
Like I said, Im a grown-up I know that death is death. I don’t need a reminder of the permanence of death, but I guess I did. Until you notice that void is not being filled you have to face the fact that someone you loved is truly gone.
Still this is not an attempt to depress, but rather a celebration of someone who did something very simple but will impact me for my entire life and in doing so taught me a lesson about life. Doing something nice is one of the best gifts you can ever give someone. Send a friend a letter with a bunch of funny words and know that you put a smile on their face. Doing this simple thing will do more than you can imagine and in doing so will provide you a glimpse of immortality as, at least to that person, you will never be forgotten.
Ric Susman