I stepped out for my walk before the sun stretched into the Hollow this morning and right away considered running back in for a sweater...or at least a shirt with sleeves.
A 'cold' front blew through our part of Texas yesterday, knocking the high temperatures down from the triple digits all the way to the 90's, and dragging our morning lows into the 60's with it.
In some parts of the country where highs rarely reach the 90's, I'm sure that sounds like a summer heat wave. But here, it's just a welcome sign that autumn is knocking on the door.
It's all about perspective.
The same is true about age.
"Old age is fifteen years older than I am." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Last night I helped my friend Conni celebrate her 50th birthday. She doesn't technically turn 50 for about a week, but her husband and daughter surprised her with a party. Another friend, Nancy, and her husband Paul came in town to go to the party.
It just so happened to be Nancy's actual birthday - she turned 48.
Babies, I found myself thinking. Just babies.
Babies Nancy and Conni on the left, holding up their elders on the right, me and Cheryl.
And then I gave thanks for my older friends and siblings, to whom I will forever be a youngster, as well as my high school classmates, who will eternally remain 18 in my eyes, and who (I hope) will always see me the same way... even though we are trudging forward into our middish fifties now.
"True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country." ~Kurt Vonnegut
And now for more sweet!s of the past week...
Monday: grandpuppies; your sons and their friends moving heavy furniture for you when your husband's back decides to go on strike; pulling together with other friends to support one in need; seeing one of your posts featured on Pioneer Woman's sidebar so that you get lots of hits on your blog
Tuesday: lighting candles and praying in a quiet church; running into good friends in the grocery store; grilling a steak without setting anything on fire (long story)
Wednesday: the stillness of morning, just after dawn; chatting with longtime parishioners you rarely get to see; time to catch up on your blog-reading
Thursday: a twinkle in an old puppy's eye when playing with his puppy; scratching dusty things off your to-do list; phone calls with your mother-in-law, daughter, daddy, sister, sister-in-law, and mother, all in one day
Friday: a dog's wiggly joy at going for a walk; witnessing those in need helped by members of your local St. Vincent de Paul Society
Saturday: clouds kissed pink by the rising sun; discounts; high temperatures finally dropping from the triple digits to the nineties; celebrating the birthdays of two dear friends; surprise parties; evenings on the back deck, catching up with old friends
Sunday: a chill in the morning air; a lone butterfly posing for you long enough to snap several close-up photos with your iPhone, even though your dogs are skirmishing nearby; attending Mass with your confirmation sponsor, who happens to be a dear friend; time for a breakfast taco before heading to work after church; remembering your father-in-law on what would have been his 83rd birthday (Happy birthday, Pop! )
What were some of the sweet!est moments of your past week?
