Looking Forward

Whew, it's been a while since my last blog post. But there is a good reason for that. It's my birthday today. Although I am pretty low key about birthdays, I have in fact spent the last few days celebrating. Thanks to Martin Luther King day , my son was able to come home for a long weekend. We've spent a lot of time, cooking, chatting, watching movies, and playing endless rounds of Skip Bo. And laughing, lots of laughing.


Those African violets up there were a gift from my son. I haven't had any for many years. Not since he was small. I'd forgotten how much I love them and their lovely range of purples. He's located an ideal spot for them in the lounge room and in clear sight so I will be unlikely to neglect them. The sun shines through their blossoms and lights up the petals. Beautiful.


Mostly I look forward in life. But this year I couldn't help but look back to last year at this time. We spent from mid December until now waiting for word of my son's return from Iraq. It was a brutal 15 month deployment, many lost comrades, his own humvee blown up 2 days before he left theater. And finally, home, on my birthday. I thought I would never have a more beautiful birthday. But this year closes a circle of remarkable emotional recovery for all of us. What more could one ask for.


But then this beautiful gift of violets, that brings me back to his childhood and my absolute most beautiful gifts in life, my children.


Yes, I am indeed looking forward to celebrating another year of life and all it brings.