Happy Birthday, Betty!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday and I thought I would take this time and share with everyone what an inspiration she is to me. On October 20th 2005, she had a gastric bypass. It has been an amazing year watching her transform both physically and emotionally.

And for those who might suggest that a gastric bypass is the "easy way out", you obviously have not seen what a bypass patient goes through. I remember the days just after the surgery, watching her so sick. Being so scared (us, not her). Each day she would say how it was a better day than the one before, an obvious lie. But she never complained. And, in time, she did heal.

And as we watched the pounds disappear, we watched her tranform into a more confident and lighthearted woman. Perhaps a glimpse of what she was in her youth. With each pound shed, we have witnessed the reclaiming of her life. Her self-esteem improved and for once, she finally began to think about herself, what made her happy, and who she wanted to be. Nearly 200 pounds lighter, she is now a new person. A person who enjoys the things in life that she once couldn't. Like running after her grandson or walking the mall with her daughter.

I think our motives for encouraging the surgery were selfish at first. We wanted a more healthy mother and grandmother. Someone who would be around to watch our children grow. Something we felt the weight would have stolen from her...stolen from all of us. But in the end, the greatest gift has been to see her happy. Happy with who she is!

So, Happy Birthday, Mom! You deserve the world!!!!

Before the surgery...


And now...