Happy Birthday

To my dearest, dearest eldest son - my shining light. This morning I am filled with memories of your little face, how frightened I was at 18 years old and a new mother. How little I knew; how much love I had in my heart. One day you called me and said, "thanks for having me Mom!" Oh my sweet son, thank you for being my own.

We really did grow up together. One day you called and said, "every year it got better!" In the very early years we traveled together and had lots of adventures. Shift forward - many times I worked two jobs, went back to school - got the promotions and yes, it got better.

Today, you are a loving father and husband - working hard and being successful in your chosen profession. You are loved so much in return and respected by those in all facets of your life. It was so neat to get up this morning to find a text message from you - sent right around your actual birth time of 12:31 AM - "I LOVE YOU" it said. B, I love you too. Happy Birthday Son.

Shhhhhhhhhh - A Big Surprise Ahead

One of my blog buddies is coming for a visit. This is someone that most of those who visit here know and love. I am very excited to finally meet this person - in person!! We will be taking pictures and joint-blogging. Watch for the surprise over the weekend of August 8th. So, to my dear blog buddy - safe travels and I will see you soon.

Busy Weekend Ahead

Tonight is the full moon - maybe that is why yesterday was so incredibly weird. We were putting out a packet for a client Board of Directors' Meeting and everything we touched backfired. Finally, at 3:30 pm it went out. At the end of the day someone said, "it must be the full moon." Yes madam!

I have plans, plans and more plans this weekend. I have a date with a friend to go to the Farmer's Market in the morning, then going to pick up mulch and put it down at the duplex, then home to clean up and meet another friend for tea and conversation. Home for a quiet dinner.

Sunday, I am meeting another girlfriend for breakfast and then going to services at the Unitarian Church - I went last week and loved it. After church it is home to have a massage (last Sunday is was nice enough that I had my massage outside on my private side patio under the big tree). I hope that is the case on Sunday. Wait, wait, I'm not done yet. I am going to still another friend's house for dinner. Stepping out in this newly forged life - connected and having fun.

What are you up to this weekend. I am going to cruise around now and see how all my blog buddies are doing. Have a terrific weekend.

Ahhhhhhhhh Summer

I JUST snapped these photos of my front entry - the first two are looking at the house and the last is looking out from my front door. It is so summer.

The weather today is incredible - bright sunshine, soft breezes, no humidity - Paradise. Did you know, we Minnesotans totally forget about winter - hmmmm, whaaaaa - winter, we have WINTER???? These days are enough - they are one of the reasons we continue to live in the Northland.

The basil is overflowing its tub - fresh tomatoes are green on the vine - soon, summer's delight - spicy basil, juicy red sweetness, a drizzle of green olive oil and a sprinkle of grey salt - heaven on earth. No not heaven - just summer. Ahhhhhh.

Happy Belated Birthday Blog

This morning it occurred to me that I have been keeping this blog for close to three years - I reflected how far I have come on the path to healing and wholeness and then I looked back for a moment to see my very first post.

It was three years on June 20th - as someone once said, "What a trip its been." I began blogging to record my grief journey for myself. I have journaled for many decades and still do so. For some reason, I was compelled to go online - starting the blog seemed a place that would stand witness to my grief in a very different way. I never gave a thought to the fact that anyone else would ever read it. I poured my heart to the keyboard and then some amazing, unexpected things began to happen. People started to leave comments and I began to visit other people's lives, opinions, triumphs and struggles through their writing and their blogs.

The blog stood witness to my journey and so have you. The support, the love, the encouragement, the love, and the friendship I have found here has been a major element in my journey to a new life. Happy Birthday Blog - in deepest gratitude and love across the miles - thank you my bloggy buddies.

Happy Independence Day

Have a happy and safe July Fourth - may your BBQ be juicy and your drinks be cold. Enjoy this long holiday weekend.

Happy July