Today, His Birthday

Yesterday, after much studying and long school-day-ing, we ended up on our bed with our legs tucked under the covers, talking and laughing about nothing and everything. It was late and I had plans to wake up early and make him cinnamon rolls for his birthday (which is today), but I couldn't fall asleep because I was giddy happy-- the kind of happy that is antsy and restless while all the while being just contentedness and some kind of sure confidence in life as it is and as it's going to keep on being. He makes me that kind of happy.

It's his birthday today. And oh boy, I've just got to tell you how glad I am that he was born. I am so glad.

Braced for Winter

The leaves are falling now-- blowing down from trees and landing on the sidewalks. The morning rain soaked the grounded leaves and it's dangerous. Those slippery leaves on the ground have slid me off-balance twice today.

Oh! I've loved this fall.We've been lucky that it's been warm for so long. Seventy on Saturday! I'm grateful for this year's gradual descent into winter. Winter is hard. And our windows are drafty. Thank you heavens for giving me time to really warm up to this whole winter-time idea, giving me time to mentally prepare for perpetual coldness-- blue toes, cramped feet, numb fingers, stiff joints, dead ears, goosebumps on the crown of my head.

I've been emotionally prepping for winter since September. Every ounce of lingering summer has been celebrated.

But I think I'm prepared now. You can hit me. I'm strong. I'm ready. I can do this. Arghh... bring it on.

And hit me you will.