Children’s birthday parties can be exhausting, and with all the planning and stress that goes into making sure your child is having a good time, it can be easy to overlook the reason why you’re celebrating.
Life is special- and painfully short- so every year our loved ones are here on earth with us should be celebrated.
When you look at it like that, suddenly your worries about what type of cake to go for, or whether or not you should hire a magician, seem completely insignificant.
It’s a reminder that we all need to hear every now and then, especially those of us whose children are growing up before our very eyes.
Melanie Andrews Pitts was finalizing her plans for her son Graham’s 18th birthday party when she received a note that instantly brought her to tears.
She had ordered a personalized cake from Publix Bakery for her son’s special day, and when she went to pick it up, she was handed the note along with her order.
The lady at the counter told Melanie that she wouldn’t have to pay for her cake and that the handwritten note would explain everything.
As Melanie opened the note, she began to cry.
The note-writer explained that she had lost her son, James, four years ago– and that he now would have been 36 years of age. In honor of his memory, she wanted to do the good deed of paying for Melanie’s cake.
“I paid for your loved one’s birthday cake. It is my hope that you will forget about all the crazy little details of having a party and enjoy celebrating your loved one’s life,” The note read. “Take tons of pictures and videos and enjoy every moment of today.”
The sweet note inspired Melanie to write a Facebook post, which now has over 600 likes.
I opened the card and started crying as I read about how James’ mom honors his memory by paying for a Birthday cake for someone each year since she lost her dear son,” Melanie wrote. “Her note was so poignant as today I was watching some old videos on my computer from when Graham was just a little boy.”
Melanie was reminded that when it came down to it, it didn’t matter how they celebrated her son Graham’s birthday. The most important thing was that the family could spend it together.
“For us, no party this year, just a quiet dinner for the 3 of us,” Melanie said. “Treasure every moment, we are never promised tomorrow. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you and your family.”
“We are never promised tomorrow.”
Although Melanie never found out the identity of the person who wrote the note, she shared some words of consolation on her Facebook post, in the hopes that it would reach the right person.
“My heart hurts for you and your family, I can’t imagine how difficult this day must be for you,” she wrote. “Happy 36th Birthday in Heaven to your son, James.”
How truly heartbreaking! We hope that James’ mom can see the incredible impact that her simple act of kindness has had on people all over the world.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
