Happy Birthday to our sweet Emi June! This year has flown by so fast. And she helped fill it with so much joy and laughter. We love watching her grow and explore her world. And we are thankful to be her Gig and Papa. 💗
Row, Row, Row Your Boat-The Piano Guys Kelley Morris, piano
Yesterday, I celebrated my 56th birthday! And my oldest son celebrated his 29th. I’ve been a mom for 29 years. This year, I watched as my son became a parent. And Gigi is now on the list of names to which I answer. What a gift!
What makes a year? Logic says Seconds, minutes, hours Days, weeks, months Equally spaced To help us keep track- Of what, I’m not sure Oh, there’s no denying The answer when My birth year Is subtracted From the current year But the larger That number grows The less it represents Anything equally spaced What makes a year? My heart says The love of others The beauty of nature Grief, heartache, and loss Faith, hope, and love None of which Fit into any calendar All of which Even the torn edges Can be transformed Into a much-cherished Collage of memories
I first met the birthday girl a little over thirty years ago. She was kind and accepting even then. It is hard to believe she was my age when we met. Maybe a little younger. A mom and grandma, it seemed her life was already complete. At least, that was my perspective.
Here we are, thirty years later. It seems a lot more life has happened in that time. More grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the death of a spouse after fifty-plus years of marriage.
So now, as we celebrate her, I try to imagine her perspective. Those thirty years, though eventful, only represent a portion of her life. She did a lot of living prior.
She speaks lovingly of her parents. Just yesterday, about how her dad played the piano. Talks regularly to her siblings who are still living. Keeps up with distant relatives and old friends.
Has a love of horses that began as a child. She recalls fondly walking with her girlfriend to the stables. Pretending to gallop as they walked, then riding horses before returning home. She even bought two horses in her lifetime!
Her second horse was sold before she moved from California to New York. A job as a flight attendant at American Airlines called. And that move, that job, lead to meeting her husband. The rest is history, as they say.
So, how would such a girl celebrate her 80th birthday? Surrounded by daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law…you get the picture. Eating, laughing, remembering, and enjoying time together. And, of course, attending a horse show.
This birthday girl wears her crown of white with pride. As well as her life experiences. Sharing what we are willing to hear. Continuing to move forward, making new memories.
There are few things I enjoy more than celebrating our children’s birthdays. Favorite meals, cake and ice cream, candles, family and friends singing.
These days fill me with questions about the passing of time. It appears so logical when looking at a calendar or clock. And yet, within the heart cannot be explained. For there, it is intertwined with memories and feelings.
Today is the twenty-fifth birthday of our daughter. And I find myself pulled between two points in time.
First, remembering those early days. Crying all the time, both of us. 😉 Never physically far away from each other. Feeling exhausted but so happy.
And the present…watching her passion for life, others, and education. Her strength and determination. Enjoying our conversations and shopping trips. Feeling proud of who she is.
Two different times, with lots of journeying in between.
It’s all a matter Of perspective Well-rehearsed Full of love Celebratory Happy Birthday! Performance Complete with Full chorus And orchestra
Impromptu Full of love Rambunctious Happy Birthday! Complete with Kindergarteners School hallway Their stage It’s all a matter Of perspective
Each rendition Delightful In its own right In its own space But those sweet Kindergarteners Singing in The school hallway Provided a harmony Beyond music
My birthday celebration this year was topped off with a special treat. My husband surprised me with tickets to see James Taylor and Jackson Browne in Kansas City, MO last night. Road trip! ❤️
So excited!CopperlineYou Can Closer Your EyesHappy tired
Four hours of life’s soundtrack from these two artists who are still going strong. Both in their seventies, I was amazed at their energy. Inspired by their love for what they do. Sharing the power of connection that lives in their music.
I hope to write more about this event. But right now, I want to bask in the harmony beyond music. It started with those sweet kindergarteners and continued right until the final note of last night’s concert.
So close your eyes You can close your eyes, it’s alright I don’t know no love songs I can’t sing the blues anymore Oh but I can sing this song You can sing this song when I’m gone-James Taylor
Early in the morning, on my twenty-seventh birthday, you made a mom. And today, you turn twenty-seven. The significance is not lost on me.
The weeks leading up to your birth were traumatic. Your birth itself was traumatic. Waiting to hear your first cry. Seeing your tiny translucent face. And though I remember those moments well, I now see them thru a different lens. Your dad, me, and you were covered in love by family and friends.
You were a good baby. Your dad and I had no idea what we were doing but figured it out. You always loved music and books. Oh, and Legos. When your sister and brother came along, you loved them, too.
We’ve hit quite a few milestones together. The day you turned thirteen, I turned forty. I took you to your first rock concert. How old were you? Marching band, guitar lessons, prom, high school graduation. I will never forget the day we dropped you off at college. I cried the whole drive there and back.
Now you’re married to the sweetest girl and have your own life. Both of you are passionate about education. And you are working toward your doctorate in educational psychology. A life-long learner if I ever knew one.
I have the privilege of watching as you figure out this crazy, wonderful, beautiful life you get to live with a gentle spirit.
I am so proud of you. And I am thankful we share this day. Happy twenty-seventh birthday, Robert Allan Morris! ❤️
Opening doors Requires Asking questions Whether seeking Knowledge Creativity Relationships- Some we ask Almost every day How are you? What’s wrong? What do you think? How does that work? Listening For answers Is the key I pride myself On being A good listener Discovering that Some questions No matter How many times I ask them Have no answers- My youngest son Turns twenty-one Tomorrow- Where has the time gone?
Piano Girl 