She turns 40 today.
Memories of a past time invade her mind, of a love she did not even say goodbye. But this was in her older years, an era where buses and trains had not yet existed. It began to dawn on her that she was lost, in a faraway land. Was she 40? she wondered.
At that moment she knew. Her name was Deidre, and it was her birthday celebration. Her lover was not there, and she did not call him. She had said the loveliest goodbye as he took his last breath five years prior. Deidre knew these seconds were brief, so she vowed to treasure the time, hoping to return if she could.
Her children were shocked. It had been ages since their mother recognized every face in a room, and these were treasured moments. They only knew because when mama smiled, her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Today is her centennial birthday.
