A journal page

 Not an epic year in numbers, but an epic year of birthday  memories.    Maybe because the older I get the more I realize what is of value in life.   And some events need to be put on paper.... don't ever want to forget.

( did not know it would last until August, but here goes )

First celebration was with my sister Barb.  We always head to Gilman Village for lunch.  Though the Boarding House is gone, we found another good spot for treats.

Another long time friend, Bonnie ( we met on my wedding day)   We do lunch and still like to exchange gifts.  She knows me

 

A few days before the 30th, four cards arrived in the mail.   All of them had a special touch

H.K. and I have known each other all our lives. We would have lunch together every year, before she moved away.  The card had a special meaning, only one thing was missing, our favorite verse
Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

Can't resist a memory from one of our few vacations together.
Hawaii in pok-a-dots 

Mother & Daughter, also friends for a long time. This year the card had a special message from each of them. The daughter's was most special.  She is struggling with a hard diagnosis, but that did not keep her from writing her own note of love.

Long time neighbor/friend, Sally, like family to our kids. We usually have lunch and exchange gifts and laughs.  This year her brain is not always working. That is what she shared along with the card that looked like her....many phrases underlined with her honest and loving friendship.

Shoes on the card from Laurie  BSF friend.  I thanked her and asked why people connect me with shoes? Everyone has shoes.  Well, she said, it might be because you post shoe pictures.     
Guilty.   She knows me

All this before the actual date. May 30. 
Growing up it was always a holiday, Memorial day. No work, no school.  Aunt Pat would take us to Lincoln Park for the first picnic of the year. Now the holiday has to be on a Monday.  Not sure why that has changed the tradition, but life IS different.

Thursday, this year, and texts and emails arrived and a personal visit from Betty.  That is a gift.
One on one time.  
Then off to the airport to pick up friends...we stopped for dinner at Duke's for a celebration dinner.  Thank you Sikora's

My other Barbara arrived on Friday with a plate of cookies... and just in time for company dessert...and a gift of King Arthur treats

She also included the recipe for the delights she had baked...no picture, they were consumed quickly.   so good. 

OK.. I have been blessed... but need to list each one because each one is special ( thoughts looming up in my heart, without photos or other comments for now )  

Marie knows the best chocolate is Swiss and added a sweet candle
Kim knows I like Minnie and will love serving on "her" platter
Leni added to my Starbucks card
Nancy's "Seashore" earrings came in time for a trip to the ocean
Lunch with Helen at the Cheese cake factory ( Key lime dessert)
Jude, Eleanor and Tiff repeating Key Lime Cheese Cake
Cindy and I love Applebees..and we skipped dessert
Connie completed (probably )the celebration  at British Pantry

    

Thank you Connie 

I live an exciting life 

visiting old friends

 Our hand written welcome to a home by the sea

Our friends Wendi and Don

Relax we did

Our hostess fixing meals with smiles 

A new game

Then Banana Scrabble

Then down to  luxury

and a view 

Our adventure in Sequim begins with lavender fields...just a week before the festival, and beautiful 

and then..

A beautiful walk.. 

It is a very long walk down to the lighthouse
Maybe 5 miles
We did not go there 

In the evening,  a walk on the beach

Then a dinner to remember

Getting close to home

and a few things I loved about their home..

Wendi's artwork and decorations.

Both of us like shoes...

While we had to say goodbye, we know we will make another visit..they assured us they will invite us again

I live an exciting life

.

We love weddings

And we love Max...and that means now we love Angel 

  Her train, his tails... 

Now on to the food....

And friends..

and a Disney theme.

And the cake...

It was a very warm day....any day is a good day for a wedding.

But not good for taking pictures.... these were part of the wedding fun..it is Michael's business

I wish more people had participated...but there were several good sports 
 

I live an exciting life 

A brief encounter

On the ferry, heading into the galley behind a lady

Her blouse was awkwardly tucked into her pants and a little "ruffled"

As we walked she turned around and came back to me and said

" you look so pretty, your outfit is so lovely"

I looked down at my 20 year old strawberry dress with a missing button and a little rip
A loss for words, I said  " thank you, it must be the sparkle shoes"
" No" she said " your outfit is so pretty, you look so lovely"

Hubby agreed... 

I need to wear that dress more often 

i live an exciting life  

Remembering a friend

 

While her sweet picture was on the screen for most of the memorial, there was so much sharing, amazing things about Nancy that it is hard to believe that one person accomplished so much

All gave glory to God 

"We Rest On Thee" was the first song.  It was Al and Nancy's wedding song and had a special story too.

We missed Andrew, their younger son, but he appeared on the screen to give Nancy's biography

The family had put together a great collection of photos, showing some of her involvement with many groups.

Homily ( sermon to uplift ) " Nancy's Home"
Very sweet message and gospel message. Mark clearly knew Nancy very well, and delivered his thoughts with love

Maybe this is when we all sang together
     " Precious Lord Take my Hand" 

Scriptures shared, Psalm 90 and 139

Four of the 7 grandchildren stood together and shared their love for their Grandma, Nana, with tears and much love

Al's brother John also shared 

Friends of Nancy shared next and it was amazing how much she had been involved with, started, maintained, finished,  never to leave out the friendships that developed.   She was deliberate in her connections.

Qualities/habits   mentioned often,, hospitality, greeting cards, love for the Lord
Phrases she shared:  There are no ordinary people
  We are all made in the image of God
   People need to know they have value 
(in my heart, from a wedding shower years ago Nancy shared ) Validate his feelings first,  then you can share yours.   I have written this many times and tried to live it out.

A reception followed  and I got a huge hug from this girl...and also her close friend Nancy 

My own story began in about 1965, while I was living in Oak Park for a brief time.  Our acquaintance became a friendship when Al and Nancy moved to Bellevue.   Al was a groomsman in our wedding and we attended the weddings of their three children.
Nancy entertained us many times as a young couple and later we joined other ladies in luncheons, Bible study and prayer.  
While our lives have changed, out times together changed. More recently Nancy and I have had coffee or lunch together, sharing  "life", the hard and happy times, always feeling safe. She was a positive and affirming influence to me.  She easily added scripture to our conversations.    

Many good memories    Many gifts  shared    My favorite greeting card came just about a month ago.  A treasure for sure 

Makes me smile  each time I see it
Right in front of me, on my desk
Not sure which one is me
Both are having fun

An example to follow 

I live an exciting life 

.