The forgotten birthday...

So. 

About 3 weeks ago... it was my birthday.

(GASP)!!! ( I have friends who are reading this now and are kicking themselves because they feel bad for not remembering). 

And friends.... let me tell you....

Nobody. Remembered.

(Okay.... some people remembered... but a very precious few.) 

Facebook didn't remember. 

I don't know how that happens. 

But facebook didn't remember either. 

I think I even forgot. 

Friends... What I want you to know is... the stars were somehow aligned... and ....

It's not your fault. 

Maybe I needed a good dose of humble pie. 

Maybe it means that because it was somewhat "forgotten" that my body hasn't actually aged a year.

Maybe it means... 

nothing at all. 

Bottom line... my birthday was a few days after my Dad got out of the hospital after having a heart attack. 

And, the "small sting" I would have normally felt by a somewhat "forgotten day" didn't sting at all. 

Well.... maybe a black fly midgy sting. Yeah... one of those. Our family had a more grand celebration going on in our hearts. My Dad was still here. So, a few precious family members gathered around down at the lake at my parents' house. We had pizza on the party boat. We had piggy-back races. We had joy. It was actually... the perfect day... mostly forgotten and all. 

"Wisdom is knowing I am nothing,

Love is knowing I am everything, 

and between the two my life moves."

-Nisargadatta Maharaj 

And a marvelous birthday it was...

Our boys turned two just a couple weeks ago. 

And it was a splendid day.

Family. 

Cook-out.

At the lake. 

And the pig was there too. 

Can't forget the pig. 

It was one of those moments that, while it happens, you stop and breath deep...

thinking... This is the life. 

All these people who love our precious boys gathered around. 

And I knew that these boys have not only turned my world upside-down... 

but they've changed things for the whole family. 

There was a certain presence about that party. 

A presence of overwhelming thankfulness in our hearts...

for Braveheart and Tenderheart. 

A Birthday and a heart attack...

The day after the boys' birthday, right about the time I was posting that "we're still alive"... my Dad was having a heart attack. It's a doozy of a story... and I'll tell you about it soon. I'm still trying to wrap my heart and mind around it. It's almost too fresh to write about. But, he's on his way home from the hospital right now. 

I'm so thankful for my precious 2 year old boys. But, I'm especially thankful for this guy right here. Who, since I was itty bitty, was the best Daddy in the whole wide world. And is now the very best Pa-pa. Oh are we thankful that we still have you, Daddy, here with us... 

(this picture was taken a day before his heart attack, at the birthday party)

Dear Da-da...

Flatbread and Friends

We had the joyous experience of celebrating our dear friend's birthday! My sister came over after work and took care of our little ones (thank you Seester :)). And we made our way to a New England "treasure". We sat laughing, loving, sharing, eating, and drinking. This "treasure" is called "The Flatbread Co." There are a few of these gems scattered all over New England, and one in Hawaii.  

If you ever have the chance to visit the Flatbread Co., take it! It will be a most wonderful experience... although our experience will always trump yours... for we were celebrating one of the most precious people on the planet.