Ten years ago on July 31st, I invited a man from Saint Paul, Minnesota to a tour of the Tacoma, Washington area where I was living. We spent the day talking and sharing while walking along Commencement Bay and exploring Wright Park and Point Defiance Park. It was a beautiful summer’s day and we became good friends and learned much about each other. As the day was coming to an end, I suggested we go to Gig Harbor and enjoy the full moon-rise over Mount Rainier. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. Fast forward ten years, and I invite him to dinner to celebrate that first date in 2005. It’s another beautiful summer’s evening, with dinner on a patio in Saint Paul accompanied by yet another full moonrise only this one is more rare being a blue moon. Between dinner and dessert, this same man from ten years ago asked how the evening could be more memorable, and then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. In these ten years we’ve shared joys and sorrows, births and deaths, and life’s share of ups and downs. We both appreciate all we’ve been through and the love we share. It was easy to answer his question with a “yes.”
Family
Summer sunset
While in the Kansas City area last weekend, I marveled in a summer sunset over a field of wildflowers. I stole away from the busy activities of a picnic and walked across the acreage that my parents had purchased years ago for the family’s enjoyment. This evening I wanted to drink in the peace and beauty of the hayfield that hadn’t been cleared yet and the plethora of wildflowers that were blooming. The rains and lack of heat had allowed the flowers to bloom in profusion. The rudbeckia covered the hillside and seemed to glow in the golden light of the sunset. As I sat beside the pond at the close of day I was filled with a sense of gratitude for the beauty before me, my parents, my family, and for this lovely bit of property.
Family on the 4th
The Fourth of July is celebrated many ways, and this year for me that meant family. We made a trip to the Kansas City area to spend the weekend with family and friends; that meant good barbeque, cold beers, a summer sunset over a field of wildflowers, an orange full moon rising in the east, catching up with friends, a boat ride on a local lake, and even a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium between the KC Royals and the Minnesota Twins. The series is always a good one, and on this night we celebrated a Twins win followed by a huge fireworks show at the stadium. So many things to be proud of on July 4th, and so many things and people to be thankful for too.
Happy 99th birthday!
It’s not too many times that family can gather to celebrate someone’s 99th birthday, but we were fortunate to have that opportunity tonight. With a full table of family from near and far, we toasted Ed on achieving his birthday milestone. Thanks to a fun “quiz,” we learned that a car cost $625 when Ed started driving, and we listed many things that have come into existence during his lifetime including TV, cell phones, space flights, and computers. 99 years is good reason to celebrate. Here’s to the upcoming year, Ed, and we’ll all look forward to gathering again next year to celebrate #100. Happy birthday!
Welcome to this world!
Last week we had the wonderful opportunity to meet our first grandson. Henry is adjusting to life – stretching his fingers and toes, exercising his lungs and vocal chords, and mesmerizing all those around him. He is fortunate to have a caring and doting mother and father, and an extended family to love him. There are many adventures ahead of him as well as a myriad of changes, but his serenity at nap time reminded me of all that is good in this world. Welcome to this world, Henry!
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