Birthday

I’ve been dreading these milestones, but my family and friends have done a bang-up job to remind me that I’m loved and there is still so much in life to celebrate–family, friends, cats, cake, friends’ successes, spring, art, creativity, humor, love.

First things first–Mary has just come back from a conference for librarians and library staff in Washington state where she rocked a presentation and an evening break-out session. I don’t think there’s any greater gift than to see your kid happy and full of purpose and hear the pride in her voice.

Yesterday, a small bunch of us gathered at our friends’ place for a birthday brunch. It was the perfect size for this introvert. I had a couple of tearful hiccups wishing Bryan were there. The food, conversation, company, cards, gifts were exceptional and full of love and humor.

Today, both my brother, Craig, and sister, Emilie, celebrated with me in their own, loving ways. Craig made the bagels, the ones we had made when he was here, for his family. I love that so much. Emilie and I listened to Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Joel, and Elton John most of the day while painting watercolors for our Mom’s fundraiser in May. I think we painted for about eight hours–a blissful way to get out of my own head. A friend dropped by with gorgeous flowers. Another friend came with a piece of cake from the Patisserie (can you tell I like it there?)

Text messages, messages on Facebook and Instagram, cards–people have been so incredibly loving with their words and actions and I feel it. Boy do I ever. The tears happen often, so do the dancing and singing.