Twenty-three candles.
To most people, it’s just another birthday.
To me, every single candle represents a year I was once told my son might never have.
When Alessio was a baby, his consultant told me he was unlikely to live beyond his first birthday.
I can still remember those words.
But somehow, I learned to put my emotions somewhere deep inside me and just carry on. There was no other choice. Alessio needed me.
As the years passed, there were more battles.
At five, he couldn't read, write or speak.
At ten, he underwent chemotherapy.
There were hospital appointments, sleepless nights, fear, uncertainty and moments when I simply had to keep going — even when I didn't know what the future would hold.
And yet, Alessio kept surprising us.
One birthday became five.
Five became ten.
Ten became thirteen.
Then nineteen.
And now...
TWENTY-THREE. ❤️
Watching him surrounded by people who love him, smiling as everyone sings Happy Birthday and then blowing out his candles, I couldn't help thinking about that frightened young mum who was once told her baby might not reach his first birthday.
If only I could go back and whisper something in her ear:
“Just wait until you see him at 23.”
This wasn't just a birthday party.
It was a celebration of life.
A celebration of everything Alessio has overcome.
And a reminder that sometimes the future can turn out very differently from the one you were told to expect.
Happy 23rd birthday, Alessio. ❤️
Every candle meant another year of his life - another year l was once told we might never have.
And I will never, ever take a single one for granted. 🎂❤️
#ynny #happybirthday #birthdayparty #birthdaycelebrations #chungkurestaurant #miraclebaby #autisticyoungman #livingthebestlives
