Happy Birthday, Mama!

Happy Birthday to my brilliant and beautiful mother! Mama, I love you and am so very proud of you. I thank God for you each and every day. I truly feel that I was blessed with the best mother in the world. Never could I attempt to repay you for all you have done for me. I wish all good things for you, today and every day. Happy Birthday, and Happy (early) Mother's Day!

Labels: birthday, Mama

Surviving Brain Surgery

October was a difficult month. Lots of emotions. I found out I was pregnant at the same time (hello, hormone craziness) that I found out my mother needed brain surgery.

Since then, she and my dad toured many hospitals, trying to find out exactly what was wrong and what could be done. After a whirlwind Thanksgiving Break where they drove across the country, my parents selected Johns Hopkins Hospital to remove the meningioma in my mother's skull. You could see the tumor protruding on her face, and the main worry was if it penetrated into the brain and/or her optic nerve.

And, of course, there was the 5% chance it was cancer.

This week, we all traveled to Baltimore for the big day. Wednesday morning came all too quickly, as well as too slowly. We wanted the tumor out so, so badly, but the 8-hour surgery was a huge, HUGE deal.

Praise God, the tumor was benign, and it did not penetrate into her brain or optic nerve. The tumor penetrated muscle, bone and the outermost layer of the brain - but did not penetrate the inner layer of the brain or the brain itself. The tumor was cleanly removed.

She is now recovering very well. Exhaustion is tough, but considering she just came through major surgery, she is doing incredibly well.

I will be eternally grateful to the head of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as an incredibly talented reconstructive surgeon, for doing such an incredible job with my mother. Doctors make all the difference.

I just love my mother so much that the word "love" seems inadequate. I need her. My existence is tied in so much with hers.

Labels: family, Mama

P is for Parents

P is for my wonderful Parents, Tommy and Rani - or as they are known to me, Mama and Daddy. I love them both very much.

They are both so generous and loving. They have always been there for me and because of them, I never felt alone in this world - no matter what. No one is perfect, but I truly cannot imagine better parents for me. They have been exactly what I needed, whether it was to cut me some slack or kick me in the butt. :)

Wednesday, Bert and I will drive to the beach to meet them for our 2nd annual beach vacay. I am looking forward to this time with them, as my memories with them are some of my life's greatest treasures.

Mama and Daddy, your Lulu Bird (Mama's nickname for me) and La Dude (Daddy's nickname for me) loves you so much! Thank you for all that you have done for me. A lifetime is not enough time to thank you, but I shall always try to thank you by living a life of which you would be proud. Love you so.

Labels: alphabet, Daddy, family, Mama

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the best Mama in the world. Love you so.

On this day, 40-some odd years ago (I would never tell her age :)), a giant 16-pound baby was born to a tiny little Indian woman in a small village halfway around the world. That giant baby would grow up to be a brilliant professor and fabulous mother. And she would barely gain 100 poounds over the course of her life.

That would be you, beautiful Mama. I wish you only good things on your birthday, this year and always.

Labels: birthday, Mama