It looked like Bob's birthday was going to be a pretty gloomy day.

He'd be in Waltham at the New England Veterinary Oncology Group, where he takes our cat, Eddie, for cancer treatment. Plus, I couldn't get out to pick up even a cake, much less a gift, because I had the flu.

I had an idea. And that idea, which started as tiny as a single apple seed, grew into a massive 10-acre orchard.

I sent messages to every person I knew, including people on Facebook, asking them to please send Bob a birthday e-mail Sept. 7, whether they knew him or not. Instantly, people responded. "I'm on it." "Will do." "Count me in." "Sure thing."

Right then, I could tell that something much bigger than my request for birthday e-mails was brewing.

Poet Mary McManus created a birthday poem. It began:

Although I do not know you, I know your lovely wife

And know you've had more than your share of stress & daily strife.

I e-mailed Kerrin Corrieri, director of human resources for the veterinary group: "It's Bob's birthday. Would everyone please sing the birthday song?"

Before leaving, Bob said, "Taking Eddie so he'll feel better is a great present." As Mary wrote:

A heart so full of loving, you give, provide such care

To Eddie, Josie, Gracie and all the animals whose lives you share.

An arthritic blind duck and hummingbirds,

A St. Francis of the modern day

With warmth, dry wit and an uncanny calm, you rise above the fray.

Rapidly, the energy of people banding together gathered jet-engine force. Friends of friends joined the cause. There were 35 e-mails.

My friend Karyn McGovern posted on Facebook: "Saralee wants her husband to be flooded with birthday e-mails today. She has the flu and he's taking their beloved pet for cancer treatment. She's harnessing the power of Facebook to brighten his day. I love it! Whether or not you know him, please send him birthday cheer."

E-mails came pouring in. The count was 62.

When Bob arrived at the veterinary group, he called to say he made it safely. I said, "Great. Bye!" And hung up on him.

I e-mailed Kerrin. My subject line was, "HE'S IN YOUR WAITING ROOM!"

She wrote, "Are you a fly on the wall? We're all ready to sing! And we have cupcakes, candles, and — what's a party without a hat?"

There were now 95 e-mails.

One friend wrote a beautiful note to me: "Where there is no path, you make one."

"I'm not taking the credit," I e-mailed back. "It only started with me and then took on a life of its own. The lesson I'm learning is that one person can take a small action. But it takes the contagious energy of a group with a common goal to make an impact this enormous."

Comments showed community in action: "Random birthday happiness!" "This is a really funny idea!" "Love being a part of this."

Someone wrote, "Can you imagine if we all got together like this and tried to accomplish goodness in the world?"

I replied, "That's exactly what you're doing!"

When Bob came home and kissed me, I gave him a big hug. That was partly because he had leftover cupcakes.

From Mary:

Many men would have walked away

Years ago when your wife became ill

You walked the path of tender compassion,

And to this day you love her still.

Very calmly I said, "Sweets, some guy sent you a birthday e-mail. You should thank him."

"Who was it?"

"I don't know."

"Can't this wait?"

"Oh, just send a quick 'thank you' so he won't feel bad."

He sat down and opened his e-mail program. There were a whopping 125 "Happy Birthday, Bob!" e-mails. He stared, not comprehending. "How did this happen?"

After explaining, I threw my arms up in the air. "It's unbelievable! From the very beginning it transformed into a huge community movement."

Bob was overwhelmed. He thanked each person individually.

And so, people from California to Cape Cod celebrated Bob's birthday. Later on, I realized there was something else at play besides the power of a group with a common purpose. And that was the beauty of people banding together because they knew I needed help.

From Mary:

Today's the day we celebrate the phenomenal man you are

I'm hoping that this birthday is your finest one by far.

And when the day is over and the celebration's through

May the year ahead bring peace and joy, health and happiness for you.

"This is the best birthday I've ever had," Bob said. Mary's gorgeous poem added joy. But what she wrote to me captured the profound simplicity of the day: "It is truly an inspiration, Saralee, that the best things in life are free."