Nobody noticed that Ruby was approaching a wonderful landmark birthday for any human being. She was turning one hundred, but no one was present to celebrate with her.

Ruby was alone, as she had been for the majority of her life. Ruby had carried an adult’s weight since she was eight years old when her father left to fight in the war.

Her mother was a fragile and distant lady, and her father had separated Ruby from the rest of the family. “I’m going to need you to be a big girl, Ruby,” he had stated solemnly. “You’re going to have to be very responsible and look after momma, OK?”

“OK, Daddy,” Ruby said, and that was the end of her childhood. Ruby became the family’s adult, caring for her mother and four younger siblings.

She couldn’t wait for her father to return so she could be a kid again, but he never did. When Ruby was twelve years old, the family learned that their father had perished in battle.

Daddy would never return. Mom broke down, shouting and wailing so loudly that she terrified the other children. Mom had to be given an injection by a doctor, after which she became quiet and hazy once more.

Life delivers a blessing when you least expect it.
Mom’s government pension was inadequate, and she was unable to work. Ruby dropped out of school and went to work at a neighboring business that offered fabric, threads, buttons, and ribbons — whatever you’d need to sew garments in those tough times.

Ruby was bright and enthusiastic, and she quickly proved useful to Mrs. Dorris, the owner of the haberdashery. Mrs. Dorris, like Mom, was a war widow, and she was compassionate to Ruby in her own way.

She’d occasionally give Ruby off-cuts from the nicest designs and bits of bright ribbon to construct herself small shift outfits. Ruby frequently used the cloth on her siblings and her mother.

Mom had grown even more distant as she got older. Ruby had to keep an eye on her as she wandered around the house in her nightgown, so she didn’t walk outdoors like that.

Ruby was adamant that her four sisters finish school, and she refused to let them work to help out. “Focus on school,” she’d say severely. “That is the most valuable assistance you can provide!”

Ruby turned eighteen without anybody noticing. There was no celebration, no gifts, and no birthday cake. Mrs. Dorris didn’t know or care since she was an emotionless woman.

Mom was lost in her own world, and Ruby’s sisters, with their inherent selfishness, didn’t even recognize Ruby had birthdays.

Ruby and Brad met that year. He was tall and thin, with a hesitant grin. He arrived at the business to get needles for his mother, but he lingered to chat with Ruby.

They began “stepping out,’ as it was known back then. They went dancing and to the movies, as well as parking and kissing on Lover’s Lane. The kissing led to further kissing.

When Ruby found out she was pregnant, Brad promised her he’d marry her; they’d build a nice house, raise their children, and be very happy. Ruby then informed him about her mother and the girls.

“I have to look after them, Brad,” Ruby explained. “I made a vow to my father. But in a few years, the daughters will be out of school, leaving just mom.”

“Your crazy mother and sisters are moving in with us.” Brad inquired. “Will we be doing this for the rest of our lives?” Is that what you’re saying?” Brad was quite quiet after that.

He promised to meet the next day to finalize wedding plans, but he didn’t kiss Ruby goodbye as he normally would. Ruby had never seen him again.

She found out he’d volunteered for the new conflict in Asia that very afternoon. He’d abandoned her, pregnant and alone. “What am I going to do?” she pondered.

What type of life could she provide for the baby if she kept it? She had to work constantly in order to raise her sisters and care for her mother. It was just not safe for her to leave the infant with her mother while she worked.

Ruby sobbed as she pushed her hands against her stomach. She’d have to abandon her child. She’d give it up for adoption, knowing it would be adored and treasured.

Ruby’s decision to give up her newborn baby was one of the most difficult in her life, but she knew it was for the best. “Be happy, my sweet girl,” she said quietly. “I’m in love with you.”

Ruby couldn’t recall the last time she felt youthful, and it had been a long time. Ruby never looked at another man after Brad. Whatever happened, she knew they would never accept her burdens, and she couldn’t ask them to.

Her sisters finished school and left home one by one. They married and went away, leaving Ruby to care for Mom as she always did. Ruby was seventy-three years old when her mother died.

Ruby cried that day, not just for her mother but for the horrible waste of a life. She didn’t have anything. She has no relatives and few friends after her retirement.

“I’ll just wait to die,” Ruby decided. “It can’t be much longer now.” But it was true. Ruby was a strong woman in good health, and she soon became eighty, then ninety…

The years passed without any commemoration. Nobody gave a damn. Ruby languished in her tiny cottage, becoming older and older. A social worker came to see her when she reached 99.

She wanted to see if Ruby could live on her own. She looked around and was pleased with her living situation. She walked away without even wishing Ruby a happy birthday.

“One hundred,” Ruby calculated. “I’ve seen a century of this world’s history and lived through none of it.” When the doorbell rang, she was sitting in her kitchen, wondering about her life.

She stood up and pushed open the door. There was a young man there, bearing a massive cake with a large 100 on top. “Hi Gran!” he exclaimed joyfully. “Happy birthday!”

Ruby’s chin sagged. “Young man, you have the wrong house.”

“No, I don’t,” he said softly. “You are Ruby, my great-grandmother.” My grandmother had always wanted to know who her biological mother was, so I had the records opened when she reached 81.

“No one thought you were still alive!” Gran is waiting for you outside, in the car, if you accept.”

“My daughter?” Ruby inquired. “She’s… Is she interested in meeting me? I let her go. I wanted her to be content.”

“She knows that grandmother,” remarked the young man. “We also know you’ve been alone for a long time, but you now have a family: a daughter, five grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren!”

Ruby began to sob, and the young man wrapped his arms around her. “It’s OK,” he said. “We’re here now, and you’re going to have quite a party!”

Ruby had the finest day of her life when she met her daughter, grandkids, and great-grandchildren. They blew out the candles and sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ Ruby had never heard such a wonderful sound.

“After all,” she said to her daughter, “my life wasn’t a waste.” “I already had you!”

Duty might be a dreadful burden, but there is always a reward in life. Ruby sacrificed everything, even her child, to uphold her promise to her father and care for her mother.

Life delivers a blessing when you least expect it. Ruby remained alone until her 100th birthday when she was encircled by family and affection for the remainder of her life.