For Karen

Karen

So many confusing emotions

Flying about in my heart.

I miss you, I love you,

I’m glad you're at peace.

Yet --

I wasn’t ready

For you to depart.

Your smile, your laughter,

Your quick wit;

Your fortitude, your sharing.

Your strength, your great love,

Oh, your comforting arms -

Always there, always giving,

Always caring.

I will smile

When you cross my mind -

And I’ll cry a tear or two.

You’ll always be here,

Always part of my heart;

Oh yes,

My life has been blessed for knowing you.

My 53rd Birthday

Well, I am now officially 53 years old! My two year old granddaughter tried to steal my birthday so she could be five, but since I'm not ready for her to be three, much less five, I kept it for myself and went ahead and turned 53.And I had a great time doing it!I had a 'sleep-over' with a girlfriend the night before and woke up to my Happy Birthday with her. When I opened her front door to go home, I was greeted with SNOW!!! Neither she nor her husband believed me at first, but this Idaho girl did get honest to goodness snow for her birthday. (A total of five people took credit for sending me snow as a b'day gift!)I got myspace birthday coments, emails, cards, gifts and phone calls - a few which surprised me -and surprises are always nice! Then a nice dinner out with Timmie and family.Woke up the next day to a broken furnace - brand new furnace even!!! But he came over and got it going. and, a bit behind, we got on with birthdaying! A stop in Fernley to see those cuties that live there - and to pick up my favorite expected and loved birthday gift - a notebook with my two darlings on it!! Then on to Reno.Did great there! I received gift certificates from Lane Bryant and Penney's for my birthday, so we went to the mall - I got a total of four new $40.00 blouses for a grand total of $20.56, about $5.00 each! So I was pleased! (Even got a tiny bit of Christmas shopping taken care of!)Then we went to see REBA and Kelley Clarkson's concert. It was great! I forget how much I love concerts! There's really nothing quite like live entertainment!We spent the night in Reno (thanks for taking care of Hannah for us, sis), then to Peg's Glorified Ham and Eggs for breakfast before heading home for a little more sleep and a lazy Sunday!I fight getting out and about like an ornery old bear since last summer, but I generally have a pretty good time when I give in and just go - this time, I had a wonderful time! Definitely a birthday I enjoyed - and one I will remember!Thank you, D, for a terrific 53rd!Thank you to all who thought of me on my special day!I love you all!