My youngest daughter, Isa turns twelve years old today. I guess you could say she’s a bit of a miracle–born to a mother in her forties whose other three kids were practically grown up when she entered the world with a lusty cry and a head full of thick, black hair. Then, when she was a toddler, this miracle girl did something even bigger: she was diagnosed with cancer and after a fierce battle, she survived. And as a family, we also survived. The greatest miracle of all is that through this nightmare of cancer, Isa taught us how to live.
Today is a special day: Isa’s golden birthday. She is 12 on 12/12. It’s also the birthday of the Virgin de Guadalupe, who is an iconic saint in Mexican culture. When Isa was going through treatment, when her hair fell out and her belly swelled from the medication, Rene took a short trip back to Oaxaca to see his family. While in Mexico City, he went to the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe to make an offering to the Virgincita and to pray for Isa’s life. Now, my husband could certainly win the prize for the best lapsed Catholic, but going to that shrine somehow comforted him, offering him hope during a very dark time.
Since that time, our family has made it a tradition to go to Olvera Street in Los Angeles on Isa’s birthday to Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church to offer our thanks for another year with our beautiful daughter. We went last night and had a wonderful time, marveling at the beautiful culture of Mexico and deeply grateful that Isa is still here with us.
Happy Birthday, Isa!
Allegro non tanto 
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nanci Alvarado
Coordinator
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Cottage Childrenâs Medical Center
p: (805) 879-4244
f: (805) 879-4266
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PLEASE NOTE RECENT CHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER:
5333 HOLLISTER AVE., STE. 250
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Happiest of birthday to our sweet funny crazy delightful goofy girl Isabella! We love love love her! Bonnie, Peter and her BFF Talia!
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Thank you for sharing that story, Jessica. Loved it. Sarabeth
What a beautiful gift you give us, Jessica, when you share from the heart as you so often and generously do! Words don’t exist to adequately convey how thrilled I am to know that Isa is thriving and what a close, deeply loving, committed family you and R have created. Happy, happy golden birthday, Isa! And may you have decades more of them, each more golden than the last! love to all of you, Liz xox
Happy Glorious Birthday to precious Isa. Happy tears here. ❤
Jess: such a lovely post. Thank you, Sweets. The pictures are beautiful. Mom
What a beautiful tradition to honor your family’s miracle, Jessie. Thank you for sharing your words and pictures with all of us. Blessings to all of you.
Beautiful. Got me into the Christmas spirit. Blessings.