My birthday..first one without dad

This morning, when we went to visit dad, the nurses first asked us who is the birthday girl. They said that my dad keep telling the nurses about my birthday and how old I am. When I saw my dad, he was holding a card for me. It was a simple printed card that says," happy birthday dawn! Love, dad". It was typed by a nurse for me, requested by my dad. I was very very touched as it is difficult for my dad to communicate to nurse and for him to remember since he has been sedated before, so I thought he will get the days and dates mixed up.

He asked me if I liked it, I said, Of course. I never expected it. That is my dad for you..sweet and thoughtful, despite his condition. I brought for him milo and ginseng chicken soup to celebrate my birthday with him. He enjoyed the milo especially. I had to feed him spoon by spoon. It was difficult for him to swallow as he was still on the ventilator on his throat. He told me it was very uncomfortable.

After visting him, we went home and prepared for lunch as we will be having lunch with Reeda, one my my church friends here. Reeda just works beside my apartment and she got out to have lunch with us (me,mum,bro and Pam)before she leaves for Brazil tomorrow for mission work. We had a wonderful lunch just 5 mins from my apartment. It is a Lebanese, Greek Grill cafe. I had chicken meat with pita bread. It is very tasty.

After a great time chatting with Reeda, she sent us home before she goes back to work. She said that she will drop her car at my apartment tomorrow so that I can use it. She is very sweet and thoughtful. I thought I can use the car to drive my bro and Pam especially to see more of Mobile since they came here instead of their honeymoon trip, despite how fearful I am of the roads here. I am very familiar with the roads, it is just after the accident, a bit shaken. But I guess love casts all fear away as I just like to bring my family around as much as I can before they go home.

So, Reeda will be dropping her car at my apartment at 715am before she goes to the airport as my apartment is quite near airport.

I am very touched to receive flowers at my door for my birthday. It was given my Serene Gan. She actually remembers and despite how far we are apart, she still manages to send flowers here. Serene is my family friend from parent's church. She also gave flowers to mum to cheer her up. So there were 2 gifts from her. Many smses were also sent to me to wish me, even my secondary school friend whom I do not really keep in contact with. Even through this time, my sec sch friend has set sms to encourage me. Sigh..so sweet. Just small gestures like this does touch me. Very humbled. My relatives also sent sms to me and my aunt passed my present to my mum to bring here. So, I had presents even before my birthday. There were gifts from Marianne and my mum in law as well which my mum delivered to me when they came.

After lunch, the lawyer called back and said that we have a case as he went down yesterday to investigate and the trees were overgrown and there are no warning signs or anything. So, even if stop completely, it is quite diff to see the oncoming train. The lawyer also said that they are willing to fly down to Singapore to interview my dad and get his testimony if he is unable to fly back 18 months later...as we have to wait 18 months for the first court hearing. The system here is crazy. He will call again tomorrow to discuss further with us.

My brother finally confirmed when he and Pam will be flying back. They will be flying back together by commercial airlines as the air ambulance will prob be able to take mum only. My bro and Pam will be leaving on Tues morning here. So, they will prob reach back Singapore on Thurs. We asked the hospital roughly when my dad will fly back. They said beginning of next week probably. Their rough estimate. So, that is why my bro and Pam will fly back on Tues.

So, I called Pam McCarthy up who is arranging their flight to let her know. Actually, they are supposed to go back on 10 Jun, tomorrow. But too soon..so they pushed back. My bro talked to Pam McCarthy and asked her if she was free to send us down to the accident site as my bro thinks it is good for all of us to go down and my bro also wanted to see it. So, Pam McCarthy will be driving us down tomorrow. I feel a little scared as it is reliving what happened on that fateful day..but I have to be strong and overcome this fear. Escaping is not the solution.

CT came home early today-at about 5 plus pm. I opened the door to welcome him and he asked me to go nearer to him. He started taking out a bouquet of red roses. I was happy of course. Then he took out a soft toy- it is a carebear with sunflower on the tummy. He said I like sunflowers, so he got that. Then lastly, he took out a card from the card for me...and the words he wrote looked really sincere and loving. My heart just melted. He told me he took one hour off from work to buy for me. He told his boss that it is my birthday and he like to get some stuff for me. His boss actually asked him if he needs 2 hours instead of 1. Ha..such a nice boss.

We waited for CT to bathe, then we went out for a dinner. One of my fav place here in Mobile- Golden Corral. It is a great buffet place with great great food. They have fried chicken which is tenderly fried crispy, fried fish, steak which they grill for you, BBQ ribs, beef stew..etc lots of stuff..with a lot of dessert and ice cream with cone. All for the price of about US$12. (about S$20)

The steak they grill is fresh from the grill and cooked to your taste. It is thick and juicy as well. Yummy. I enjoyed the fried chicken as well. Very tender and juicy, yet crispy on the outside. As usual, my bro amazes me with his appetite. Pam was not feeling too well as she has not excreted out anything ever since she came here. So, she felt bloated and uncomfortable. So for once, she did not really take any desserts, but ate lots of veggies and fruits. Poor Pammy.

After a sumptuous buffet dinner, we went to visit dad. He missed us. We sang songs by his bed and prayed for him. My dad looks normal now, even his face. He looks the same. They did a great surgery on him and the only thing that is 'abnormal' is the tubes everywhere. But other than that, my dad looks great. His spirits are high as well and very strong. He has been smiling quite a bit as well.

I brought the soft toy which CT gave me and showed my dad. He smiled as well. His swell in his hands has gone down a little..at least now, can see his knuckles. Pray that he will get much better and take away any discomfort he is feeling.

I am sure my dad feels sad he cannot celebrate birthday with me...and at the same time, i also wish for him to enjoy this day with me. But it is different and I just pray for his speedy recovery.

How timely it is when today's Oprah Winfrey show was an interview with Dana Reeves, Christopher Reeve's wife. My mum was crying as it was a touching interview of how Christ Reeves hung on and inspired so many other people who had spinal cord injuries. I am sure my dad will do much better and will be stronger than Chris Reeves. :)

At about 10 plus pm, Kok Fong(Ct colleague) and Gek Teng came over and gave me flowers as well to wish me a happy birthday. Sigh..no words can express the care and love I have gotten today. Thank you Lord for all my friends and families. By the way, my apartment now, looks like some florist shop. It smells like one as well.