lo and behold

I turned my house into an art gallery and welcomed my friends and neighbors for an afternoon of warmth and beauty.  I was very touched by the people who showed up, including some lovely surprises.  We got the first snowfall of the season the day before so we were treated with my favorite view out the back windows of snow on the pines.

Laura set up her wares in front of the fireplace, and Rebecca took the bay window.  I was amazed and overjoyed by how easily it all worked out.  I am very proud and look forward to doing it again next year! 

She’s 11 years old today.  Isn’t she beautiful?  And she’s even more smart, talented, and interesting.  She’s amazing.

When she turned 10, all I could think about was me – I had been a mother for 10 years.  It was stunning.  That’s a long time to carry around the parts of being a mother that are hard for me; an incredibly short time when I think of all the ways she/we had grown.  Today, her turning 11 – it’s all about her.  She’s flying . . . . off into her own life.  More herself every day.  I love being able to see what she is becoming. 

She’s actually no little urchin, and she’s no more mine than the sea is, but I’m so glad she’s part of my life.