Capturing two - among many - wonderful memories of my 50th birthday, two years ago tomorrow. It was a spectacular birthday, starting with the arrival of Sid, and ending with the wonderful trip to Sedona with the coolest women I know.
On the actual day of my birthday, Jeff presented me with a a series of prints. Each one was an image of the state flower of the places I've lived, accompanied by a poem that reflected that particular time in my/our life. One after the other... Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, Indiana, Georgia, Kansas. I was overwhelmed, and just sobbing by the time he gave me the Kansas sunflower and Grace Cavaliere's Tarot Card VI. The Lovers:
"Having loved me when I was young
and now when I am not,
you are twice blessed
for giving
a rich person a gift.
In no one else's dream but yours,
I will be the old man
wearing a white straw hat
with a red satin bow
who says Thank you."
OK, he substituted man for woman, but that just made it all the more precious. Was there ever a more loving gift?
And, was there ever a more loving friend than Terri? She gave me a gift of words, as well, powerful because they came from deep insight and an attempt to understand another. People who make the effort to"get" you, who really pay attention are the very best friends. Here were her words:
"When I think of you and the reasons I admire you so, two words come to mind. Not optimism. Though you do, as we say, default to it. Not compassion. Though you are the first to shed a tear for someone else’s pain. Not strength. Though you sail through crises that would swamp others. No, the first word I would choose would be arthroscopy. While the rest of us are wallowing in the muscle and tissue, you are able to bore to the core of the issue, the problem, the irony – even the joke – with the accuracy and certainty of the finest surgeon. In this one way (and others), you are uncanny. The other word I would choose is easier to explain. Love. I love you, Jeanne."
My deepest gratitude to you both for making my life so rich. I am very lucky.
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