Fantastic Fifteen

It's not that I forgot his birthday. I didn't. But the day was a rush as he and his sister were leaving on a school band trip to Toronto to see the incredible Ben Hepner in the musical, Titanic (the kids raved about it after).

And from there we raced north for a weekend in Creemore and to take our youngest to a provincial oratorical competition in nearby Barrie.

And this week was a blur of excitement with things going on that I hope to talk about soon.

Suffice to say, that his birthday celebrations sorta got lost in the chaos. 

Oh we had birthday lemon meringue at a Great Aunt Elvina's in Toronto. And his sister and best buddy from school took hm shopping in Toronto for presents (a Darth Vadar coffee mug from Anna; a Vadar watch from John....I sense a theme here😀)

But I never really got to celebrate with him. First birthday ever I never spent with him (yeah, a little sniff there!).

He's at the age where he doesn't want me waxing poetic about him. So I won't.

Except to say this: Happy 15th birthday to my eldest. You rock!

Then:

Now:

Buzzing Blossoms

You can hear the buzzing the second you step outside. The trees are filled with a hum deep and primal and it brings me joy cause it means the bees are back in full force.

The heady scent of apple blossom hangs thick in the air, and I open all the windows this long weekend to let those aromas inside on the wafting summery breeze.

In the gardens, I dig some weeks out to make room for the sprouting heirloom peonies we rescued from an abandoned farm long ago, cut some tender asparagus spears for dinner, and contemplate young rhubarb stalks for a desser 'fool' tomorrow, having a short conversation with a startled toad who has made his home in the raspberry canes.

At the end of the day it's cider on the veranda with a hundred songbirds providing the orchestral backdrop.

It's a short season. But oh, so beautiful.

Dark earth. Birdsong. Buzzing bees. And one fat toad.

Twelve

Oh my darling, where have the years gone?

Part of me yearns for days and years gone by. Not because you were cute and sweet and innocent and inquisitive and joyful. You were - and still are - all these things. And I wouldn't trade who you are now for who you were then. But if I could go back and do it all over again....I would. In a heartbeat. Just to have the chance to spend all that time with you once more.

The future stretches out and there is much to look forward to. And I see you. Strong. Confident. Smart. Funny. A bit sassy. Curious. Independent. 

You are going to rock this world with your computer coding, your fearlessness, your karate, your love of adventure, your vision. And I look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.

Happy birthday!