The resident herd of big dogs, believing they were doing their job, launched into the whole danger-barking thing when the mail carrier dropped a couple of packages in the carport.
No amount of rationalizing can convince them to hush.
And yet, finally, they do.
Hopeful, but ever-learning, I waited until we were back to the big dog snoring routine before venturing out to investigate.
I was not disappointed.
Paint.
And a very sexy veg cookbook.
Gifts. For me. From me.
You see, today is a big day in my world. Or, more accurately, the anniversary of a big day.
Thirty-eight years ago, I was having seizures in labor, waiting for Dave to be born, to the extent that I was conscious.
It wasn’t the journey my birth doula friends work so hard to empower.
It was, I suspect, the biggest of all the stories that have shaped my life which seems more important these days than all the scary details.
Especially since I am much engaged in integrating some of those stories just now.
So, today is Dave-day in my part of the world even though he’s in another part of the world just now.
The part of me that still owns a rolling-pin wishes I could bake him his traditional birthday treat. Apple pie.
Fortunately, the girls are turning into quite the bakers and I know he’ll have all the carbs he needs.
In the meantime, I have painting to do and big dogs to feed and trees to watch out the window. (It’s homework!)
And I imagine Dave will be busy with his world.
I won’t presume to tell his story.
Only to say that he has been the greatest teacher in my life.
And, I suspect he isn’t done!
One of the things I learned from Dave was to listen for the wisdom where it finds me.
Some found me yesterday.
I was engaged in more homework sorts of things. Baskets to wash. Notes to scribble. Symbols to ponder.
In the midst of putting this here so that could go there, I picked up a fiber art doll. She’s a little darker and not as sparkly as her sisters.
Though she does have cool hair!
She’s never hung on the Christmas tree.
I don’t always know where she is.
Yesterday, though, she was where I thought I wanted to put something else.
And, for the first time in a long time, I really heard her message.
The secret of having it all… is believing that you do!
I do.
Which is not to say that paint and sexy cookbooks can’t be helpful.
Or that another 500 square feet of house wouldn’t be handy.
Just a vivid reminder that I do have a whole lot of what really matters.
Happy birthday, Dave!