It was Ray's birthday today. He is now 63. When he had his first stroke at 48 I didn't think he would live this long. Then he had nine years back at work and wham!! was it ever a shock when he had the next one, a major while we were holidaying in Victoria. And then the next major, while he was still in hospital!! this just doesn't happen, does it? I've found out since, yes it does.

Anyway, here we are six years down the track, he is 63. One of his sisters called on Monday night as she was going to be away for a couple o days.She is the one who always remembers first. Then last night his younger brother who lives nearest but calls only on his birthday and at Christmas gave him a call. It is a real effort now for Ray to talk on the phone. Once he asks how the family is and gets some details he runs out of things to say. Our best calls are from a couple of male friends who just ask gentle questions, tell a story or two, keep him engaged for a while. It is SOOO good when they call and he is laughing and animated.

I can't blame his family, none of them can come to terms with him being the way he is, probably don't want to. His youngest sister didn't ring last year either. Her excuse is that he left home when she was a young child so she "hardly knows him". But there are other issues involved in that one. She is the youngest, the baby, the spoilt one. And her brothers did most of the spoiling.

My family consists of one sister, she is away, but will be back in a couple of weeks and take him out to lunch. And my dear demented mother.

We had a cake, a special dinner, some cards, gifts, a little TLC was given. Tori and Trev made a special chocolate cake. I think we celebrated well. He seemed happy enough. Last Saturday we celebrated Father's Day so its a double treat in September for him. But he deserved it with all life has dealt him. Bless him.