Day 1214: Birthday

How on earth did I get this old so fast?  66 years, 44 of them with Steve.  I don't feel that old, but it's a fact I can't deny or escape.  Nor do I wish to.  I'm grateful for my good health and vigor, for loving friends and family, for my beautiful home and yard.  And at the same time, I am greatly disturbed by the horrible injustices in  this country and elsewhere and by the terrible suffering of people around the world.  And so I am conflicted on my birthday, as I am on many days.

Our lives are incredibly privileged, safe, secure and comfortable.   We try so very hard to make our little corner of the world a better place, but it's simply not enough when so many others are oppressed, impoverished, unemployed, suffering and brutalized.  I know much of our good fortune is due to the accident of our birth here in this safe little town to parents of moderate means and strong work ethics.  Their weaknesses and failings taught me as much as their examples.  How very blessed I've been.

My day was lovely, filled with sweet conversations with my sons, sisters and dear friends.  Beautiful bouquets arrived midday from all three sons and calls followed soon after.  My dear friend Laraine came by at lunch with a bundle of gifts.  We walked 3.6 miles, I got to work in the garden for a while, and then we had ice cream with Amy and Mary.  We laughed and laughed for two hours.  You would have thought we were in a bar rather than an ice cream shop.

So, to all my readers, thank you for being part of my life.  Love to you all.

Birthday bouquet from Evan

Birthday bouquet from Colin and April

Birthday bouquet from Justin and Kaoru

Paddy checking out the flowers!