Happy Birthday, Grandma

Jace loves picking out cards for loved ones. He usually goes for the cards that have music playing when you open them, and although I usually steer him away from these because of the price, Matt lets Jace buy them for me. I have the sweetest card in my special drawer that says, in Jace’s voice, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom. I love you.” It is irreplaceable.

So today, when Jace wanted to pick out a birthday card for Grandma, I thought it would be good for all of us. His “numbers” are good; he feels strong today. Why not? He didn’t like the idea of wearing his mask in public, but Hayden came to the rescue and volunteered to wear one too. Problem solved. They both pulled on their hoods (Jace doesn’t like how he looks), put on their masks, and we climbed out of the vehicle at the store. My mother’s heart was very protective and anxious. I just wanted everything to be ok for them.

But of course they looked a little weird. It’s not every day you see two masked boys right? Although Jace didn’t notice it, a car pulled in next to us filled with young people who erupted in laughter as they saw my sons. The plates were from out-of-state. I’m not sure what emotion I felt—first, I felt the need to explain why they had to wear masks—but then I just felt a little frustrated. We shouldn’t have to explain. Hayden saw the kids laughing. He went into “protect my brother” mode by guarding Jace from the view, standing tall, grabbing his hand and walking away quickly. When Hayden and I met eyes, he knew I was proud of him.

Jace lasted in the store almost 15 minutes. By the end, he was worn out, but he had a darling birthday card in hand. It may have been the first time people laughed, but it probably won’t be the last. We are all learning some very tender lessons about the feelings of others, and hopefully my boys and I will remember these experiences long after we have killed this cancer. I also have a feeling Grandma may just keep this year’s well chosen card forever.