Milestone, Miracles, and a Goodbye.

   Today was my sweet Momma's birthday. Her double-nickel birthday, to be exact. Handsome and I joined her and my Dad, my baby brother, our nephew and his friend for dinner in the City. We ate a Tex-Mex feast on a very sunny balcony. So very sunny. Really hot. Like lava. The sun set in a curvy line behind the biggest skyscraper downtown. My nephew was confused.

Feliz Cumpleanos! 

   We had the best time. We always do, really. I love my family so much, and I know I take them for granted. I feel nauseous sometimes to realize how many days have passed since I've seen them, or weeks. Or months in some cases.

   Tonight we teased my Dad about how many wounds and scars he has on his arms and legs at the moment. To say he is accident prone isn't quite right; it's more fair to say that he has an abject disregard for his personal well being and never ever stops working. Physical work.

   My nephew quipped, "Grandpa's not really a handyman; he must be in Fight Club." In addition to his numerous bumps and bruises, this would explain why Dad's not much of a talker. No worries, because the rest of us love to talk. Love it.

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   Earlier today, before this heat and this laughter,  Handsome and I attended a funeral. A friend of ours buried his mother. She was older than mine, but not that much. She seemed too young to be gone, except that she had endured a long, difficult illness and her release was a blessing.

   Hearing our friend's grief to say goodbye to his Mom was deeply moving. It softened my heart in unexpected ways; and it certainly made the hours I spent with my own Momma tonight extra sweet.

   He and his brother both read beautiful poems they each had written to honor their Mom, and the whole room held our breath together then sobbed gently.

Me with Momma on Mother's Day last year.

She taught me to love gardens and gardening.

She has a carefree, affectionate gardening style, 

and this is one corner of her paradise in Oklahoma City.

Those blue and purple flowers behind us? Larkspur.

She cut them all and brought them to our farm in large buckets 

early the morning of the wedding we hosted last May.

That's how she is.

   I also exchanged some loving notes with my first born today. I cannot overstate what a miracle this is, this recent trend between us. And soon I want to describe the journey from despair to joy in full, but not tonight.

   That's all I really have to say. Just that life is full of reminders to love more deeply and appreciate each other more fully. I received my reminders today.

   Happy Birthday Momma, I love you so much!!

   And friends, please say some prayers for the peace and comfort of our friends Trent and Carrie and their family. Thank you!


Love your people.
Anticipate Miracles.
xoxoxoxo