Written from the passenger seat of a fast-moving Subaru. We are headed to Portland for Thanksgiving! Wishing each and every one of you a day of love and thanks tomorrow and always.
:: :: ::
COMING FRIDAY: My own special Black Friday spin. It’s good, featuring 20 giveaways and 20 great deals from 20 small businesses I love. One day only.
:: :: ::
Dear Ruby,
Four! I really love you at four. I’ve loved each of your ages but right now suits you so well. You are so proud to be four.
Weeks ago I asked you how you wanted to celebrate your birthday. Margot listed the names of your friends and excitement built around your birthday party. You didn’t say anything for a bit. thinking. You then said you wanted a small party. I want to just invite you and daddy and Margot and Ellie. And I want to go to the carousel and ride and ride and ride and then go out to eat downtown. I want to eat macaroni and cheese!
So that’s what we did. The day began with the eating of egg burritos and the making of a chocolate cake with light pink frosting with a pile of rainbow sprinkles in the middle, all your requests. Mama, you pushed me out of your body four years ago? Margot made your little name bunting cake topper with red sharpie. You chose to wear a polka dot flamenco dress and two braids, one with a turquoise rubber band and one with a pink rubber band. Excitement and joy burst from your body. Yes, baby, I pushed you into your first breath. I couldn’t wait to meet you.
I made monogrammed muslin bags and had fun choosing a few little things for you three. Balloons, bubbles, markers, strawberry gum and — the biggest deal — sparkly tiaras and wands. The ones you always covet at the grocery store.
You girls danced through town. It was cold and bright. Your dad and I smiled so big and true, we ached. You were SO happy. All of us were. It was one of my favorite days of my life, truly. You chose this simple event that shined light on some of the things I value most: honest-to-goodness connection, imagination and simple, satisfying contentment.
You twirled and sang and held hands with your two best friends. You all floated in your own beautiful world where princesses, mermaids, fairies, magic and dance parties collided to form a Ruby-Ellie-Margot force. Every person we encountered smiled huge and wished all three of you a happy birthday. The entire restaurant, all of downtown Missoula was buoyed by your enthusiasm. By YOU, sweet girl. Every person on this planet has unique, awesome, productive power. I believe yours is bringing love to every little thing. It’s effortless and it is real. You love so good and understand that your well is bottomless. You know what brings you joy and you pick that. It bubbles up and out of you, gaining potency. You give your love and joy away indiscriminately and that, my rhubarb, moves mountains. Hold onto that gift, honey. I love you so so much.
with love,
mama
