A Mother's gift...

When you have a bunch of kids with partners, there is a good chance you will be celebrating a birthday at least once a month!!

We celebrated Michael's birthday this week.  We sat in a HUGE booth in the restaurant and proceeded to eat and laugh for nearly 3 hours.  Can you think of a better way to celebrate your special day?

As a mom, my heart just fills with emotion as I watch my kids interact and genuinely have a good time together.  The love they have for each other is just so evident.  Mr. W and I may not have done everything right in our life - but we sure did a good job of teaching our kids the meaning of family.

When I see them hug and kiss each other 'hello'  - engage in unending conversation and laughter - then hug and kiss each other 'good-bye' and say "I love you" - all my troubles melt away.  I know, no matter what happens in this life, these kids will stick together.

Smiling with Strangers

Went to a Wine Tasting in the city last night with Michael and Brett.  It was a small room with one long table.  Twenty-six strangers proceeded to share a meal and taste some wine.

I was so fortunate to be sitting next to a friendly gentleman who immediately introduced himself to me.  His wife sat on the other side of him.  The conversation eventually revealed that I lost my husband recently and that I had 39 wonderful years with him.   Dave worked very hard to be attentive to his wife, Melanie,  and to continue to engage me in conversation about my life.   I had a rare opportunity to share some warm, happy memories....

I don't remember every aspect of the food we ate or the wine we drank.  I do remember that I smiled all evening and I was able to talk about my Mr. Wonderful without being sad at all.  At the end of the night, these two strangers hugged and kissed me good-bye and thanked me for restoring their faith in true love...

The MR Ladies

This past weekend, I was honored to host a group of women who went to high school with me.  Since our high school reunion nearly 2 years ago, we have remained in touch through facebook.  This was a spontaneous gathering for cocktails, appetizers and desserts.  You can't imagine my thrill when everyone responded within an hour that they were coming!

Mr. Wonderful and I ALWAYS entertained - we were good at it!  We were the best team!!  It was quite bittersweet to pull this off without him - but, somehow, I knew he was looking on and pushing me to do this.  This was the first big gathering at the house since he died.  My kids kept preaching, "THIS HOUSE IS NOT CLOSED!!"  They were a gentle, but guiding force in helping me pull this off.  Allison sent a list of suggested appetizers, Michael came over to move furniture and have a long talk with the pups telling them to behave, Bobby did the liquor store run and came over that morning to help with last minute preparations.

And then the ladies arrived!  The house "hummed" for hours!  There was kissing and hugging and everyone came in with an addition for the 'feast'.  The girls gathered in little groups at first - and eventually, we all gathered around the dining room table - the talking and laughter never stopped!  They shared stories of high school days, along with events in their lives today.  There was NOTHING about the day that I would have changed....

There is something very special about entertaining women.  No one has to be served.  Everyone was comfortable within 30 seconds.  No one left the room to put on the TV!  No one was watching the clock trying to come up with a reason to leave.  And, best of all, the entire mess was cleaned up before the last guest left!!

"Ladies, thank you all for gathering in my home.  Your presence was so healing for my heart.  I will be forever grateful for the warmth and love you bestowed on me."