Friday, October 17, 2008

fall and birthdays

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fall has always been one of my favorites times of the year. fall and summer run a close race for first. growing up the beginning of october was a special time as gene, russ and i would always share our birthdays together. and who doesn't love the beauty of watching the colors change on the trees and the cool crisp autumn breeze blowing across your face.

this year was a little tougher for me than i anticipated. it happened again, getting caught off guard when i least expected it. this was not the first year to celebrate my birthday alone yet i felt more alone this year than last. maybe i was still in shock last year as it was so close to russ death? maybe it just took me off guard and i wasn't prepared for it.

bob and i went up to door county for my birthday weekend 2 weekends ago. i have spent the majority of my adult birthdays up there so i wanted this year to be no different. the colors were just starting to change and driving around we were able to find some wonderful color. our boys and my sister and nieces called me to wish me a happy birthday which was nice yet somewhat expected. what wasn't was that unk and russ' sister helen also called. and i received an e-mail from gene and russ' close friends pete and janet. that meant a lot. maybe they knew deep down that i needed an extra boost that day. it sure helped. thank you all.

but i still have a family to celebrate october birthdays with, the dates just not as close together. next week bob has a birthday and today is mark's 21st! wow, how did my baby grow up so fast!?! i can't be getting older.... tonight we will drive to madison and take him out on the town. i know for a fact that he has been "indulging" before at school so this will not be his first. i called him last night at midnight and could hardly hear him, i think the celebration had officially started. but tonight will be special and fun. matt will join us as well as some of his cousins. i remember when matt turned 21 not quite two years ago. i was not able to partake in the celebration at the time due to caregiving commitments so i plan to definitely raise a glass tonight for both boys.


happy birthday mark!! i love you and am so proud of the young man you have become. i know there will be glass raising up above tonight as well!

8 comments:

¸.•*´)ღ¸.•*´Chris said...

Happy birthday wishes all around! I remember how rough last year was as Dad and I celebrated every year together as well.

We are so lucky to live in the Midwest. We have such wonderful autumn colors. It really is breathtaking.

Madison? I'm envious! Have fun! Have a safe trip and watch out for the other guy:)

Joanne said...

Happy Birthday to all! Hope you have a wonderful trip. Beautiful pictures of the trees, Nancy. Fall is a beautiful season!

~Betsy said...

I'm sorry your birthday was a tough one. Those blind siding events are always difficult.

Happy birthday to everyone!

Lori1955 said...

The fall colors are beautiful. In CA, our colors are either green or brown. :)
I'm sorry your birthday was tough. I think that day may be hard for you for a long time. Because it's your birthday, it will never go unnoticed and therefore will always make you think of Russ. I just pray that one day those memories will give you peace, rather than grief.
HUGS sweetie.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous fall images. What a nice birthday gift to experience such beauty. Happy birthday wishes from me, too.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday wishes!

Ohhh, I love these photos! I'm with Lori here in CA we only see green and brown, very little "fall" colors. So I greatly appreciate sharing yours!

One year, after listening to my grousing about missing out on fall, a family member in MASS sent me an entire box of fall leaves! LOL! We're a crazy family and share the same strange, twisted sense of humor. :)

rainbowheart said...

Happy Birthday to you and Mark. I hope that you both had a wonderful day. Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful pictures of the fall folage. We went and picked apples and the trees were just starting to change colors. The trees will peak here in about 2weeks. Please take care my friend. You are never far from my thoughts. Take care!

Joanne said...

Just checking in on you, Nancy. ((HUGS))