My 25th birthday was the worst day of my life. It was the day my mother died and the day ”birthdays” became a dirty word, an event to be condemned, not celebrated. It also became the day I became curiously consumed with the deeper meaning of life and death.
After all, mothers don’t die on their daughter’s birthdays.
I couldn’t wrap my brain around it, nor could I believe it was a “coincidence”. I was desperate to make sense of it, to find peace. So I began to read about angels, and the afterlife, science, and spirituality.
When the grounding force of my first twenty five years was suddenly gone, it put me on a path to discover a stronger foundation. An infinite source and connection that is always here. Always available. Always abundant.
Until my mother’s death I never knew it existed. Seeing it, feeling it, and knowing it transformed my life.
It turned out that on my worst birthday I was given my greatest gift.
My mother gave me life twice. On the day I was born and on the day she died.
There’s an old Zen story about a farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.
“Maybe,” the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.
“Maybe,” replied the old man.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.
“Maybe,” answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.
“Maybe,” said the farmer.
Today my birthday has become a day of joy, celebration, and connection. A day that allows me to honor my mother and remember all the love, the guidance and the gifts I continue to receive from her. What a blessing.
What if the worst thing that ever happened to you can also be the best thing that ever happens to you?
What if?
Listen to the whispers!
Mindy