My Aunt Ruth, whose sudden stroke a few weeks ago caused us to drop everything and run to her side is home again. I spoke with her on the phone this weekend, and she is filled with joy to be home, speaking normally, and in the company of kind and affectionate people.

That woman is a fighter. And on Friday, God willing, she will be 96 years old. My sister and her husband and son are going to see her next weekend, so she will have a celebration.

Don’t tell her, but on her birthday morning she will receive a bouquet of 96 pink roses.

She has earned every one, and then some.