View from the Porch, Birthday Blues, Bird Song Seranade, Well Read Toes and other Gathering of Thoughts

Sitting on the front porch at the Lane house has always been a pass time looked forward too; not only by those of us that have lived here, but many others as well.  It is a gathering place. A  comfortable place full of conversations, worldly disagreements, sharing of information, cuddling with girlfriends and boyfriends, then grand-babies. Lots of holidays, picture taking of events and gallons of coffee, ice tea, and yellow birds (as Curt referred to them)  or slushes as Gail named them. The porch is still here.  It hasn't moved, but it it just isn't the same.  It has lost it's allure for me...Maybe this will change in time.

Today on my 61 st birthday I am sad.  I always have treasured birthdays.  They have always been special times for family and friends. This year the event has lost it's luster.  My family has been gracious and kind but I really would like to wake up tomorrow with it over and done, it is draining what little energy I have with the anxiety of the thought of having to go through the motions of an event for me...I am just too sad... 

As I was sitting on the porch this early morning there was a sweet serenade by a bird, I believe it was a Mocking bird or a Robin but never have ever heard either of them warbling quite like this.  In my mind and my ears, it sounded very much like the birthday tune made with quite a bit of effort by this little song bird.  It brought Curt to mind, and maybe it was a representative of his spirit.  I do believe in such things happening.

I have received some nice gifts and lovely words and I am appreciative of  them all.  One gift I am wearing on my toes. Jo Dee gave me some  nail polished called 'Well Read'.   I liked the name, the color, and the time it took to look at the bottoms of the polishes to find one that suits me to a tee.  It is a compliment I do not take lightly.  To be considered well read in a family that reads as gregariously as the James Dee Johnson family does, is indeed, quite the thing.  My other gifts were special too,  a  wonderful camera, dinner and sweet little measuring cups, and Burt's Bee's body creams .  A wallet, to match my purse, a tyler candle, a massage, lunch at the 'Apple Cake Tea Room', a gown and robe, a lovely painted vase with homegrown Hydrangea's, dinner, and cake.  Many  birthday calls with sweet thoughts and wishes, lots of hugs and kisses and special prayers by Georgia, Sophia and Oliver.  A grand tribute, undeserved, but appreciated.

I love you all and I am sorry that I am in a place that makes me feel apart and unable to respond in a more joyful manner.