Mel and her new friend …

At Maleny Botanical Gardens and Bird Park.

She is defying all odds and doing so well. Her latest scans show the brain tumour is shrinking, and has been for a while. She’s driving again and getting back to normal life … as much as it can be normal when you’re still doing oral chemo.

So today is her birthday gathering, and she wanted the family to join her at the bird park in Maleny.

Beautiful variety of tropical birds, huge things (macaws, parrots, galahs) and some cute tiny finches and lorakeets.

It was a freezing day, pretty wet, but we had a lovely gathering. She had arranged a picnic lunch and I made carrot cake, as she loves it.

Ben had taken the day off so we really were all together. Any opportunity we can, we will celebrate Mel … we should celebrate our loved ones anyway, as life is sooo precious.