68-year-old dad lost all his memory after surgery — until his wife’s birthday helped him relearn what birthdays mean
It’s painstaking when someone forgets precious bits from their lives due to illness or medical conditions. At such times, what’s most important is to be able to give them some comfort from the chaos of the unknown through simple gestures. A woman named Sofia Elizabeth (@sofiaspamssometimes) revealed that her dad, unfortunately, forgot everything after waking up from a surgery. While it was a heartbreaking reality, she and her family tried their best to cope with it in creative ways. They braved through with the idea that there is hope at the end of the line. This belief came true and the dad managed to find relief through a special birthday.
Elizabeth first revealed that she strongly believed that there is “some good in darkness.” The woman explained how her 68-year-old dad forgot pretty much everything after his surgery. When it was time for the first birthday in the family since his surgery, the dad somehow had a newfound excitement for the occasion. As if it were his first celebration, he had a different spark about wanting to celebrate. He had forgotten how the special day would take place — what to write on cards, how to go about the day and even how to sing “Happy Birthday” — the man was unable to recall any of it.
Nevertheless, when it was time for that first birthday, his wife’s birthday, he was still excited. The sheer idea of celebrating a loved one seemed to get to him and he thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Elizabeth charged her dad and brother to pick up the cake for her mom. Initially, the cake was supposed to be a “tiny loaf” as requested by the birthday girl. However, as the man gazed at the pretty cakes with all their sprinkles and deliciousness, all to celebrate, he was delighted by the idea of it. His eagerness increased more and more, pushing him to get one more cake just to add to the celebration.
Even though he wasn’t sure what to write on the birthday card, he didn’t let his excitement for the day wither. When it came to singing “Happy Birthday,” which the family so enthusiastically melodized in English and Italian on special occasions, the man couldn’t remember the words. Despite the setback, his family ever so lovingly helped him learn English and Italian. “He was so impressed that he knew, at one point in his life, both of them,” Elizabeth remarked. A simple celebration, one that many don’t even pay attention to as much. Some might even make birthday plans and parties an agenda instead of a celebration. But here was this dad, reliving his first all over again and cherishing them.
Simple things like a birthday cake and song brought a refreshed smile to his face that pushed his daughter to realize something profound. “Even though something may seem basic now, it actually could be an enormous feat and should be celebrated,” she said. In his forgetfulness, he rendered an important lesson that many adored. @kalinaterziyska said, “It's like a baby learning the world but having words and being able to do stuff to express it.” @esther_tee added, “That's who he is at his core, without all the crap that people and life have taught him.” @theviolingoddess remarked, “So good that he can still be with you, and enjoy life almost a second time around!”
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