Brennan’s Birthday

Jamie and my nieces came to my house for a week. My nieces had a gymnastics camp at the University of Georgia.

     I remembered Brennan—her son who had died shortly after birth—would have been five years old on June 17. I did not know what to do or say because Jamie would be at my house on his birthday. 

     I didn’t want her to think I didn’t know what that date meant, but I didn’t want to upset her. I called Jennifer, and she suggested I not say anything unless Jamie seemed upset. Paul said the same thing, so I let the day pass without mentioning it.

     Jamie went home, but I wanted to ask her what she would have liked me to do. Her answer can help others. I prayed before calling because I did not want to say anything wrong. 

     “I knew—.”

     My throat choked like a locomotor running out of stream.

     “I knew it was Brennan’s birthday, but I did not know if I should have said or done anything. Would you want me to say anything if I remembered his birthday again?” 

     “You can acknowledge it was his birthday, but I would not want to go into an in-depth conversation. Chris and I would talk about it being his birthday, but we wouldn’t do anything. I don’t expect you to call.” 

     Again, the words to the song “Say” rang true. 

     I spoke to Evelyn and her sister about this topic. They said I didn’t need to let the day go unnoticed.