April

April is an ambiguous month for me, filled with many emotional highs and lows. April 10^th is Anna and Mary’s birthday—one of the best days of my life, the day my two beautiful daughters were born! But on April, 11, 2007, my father passed away, and I miss him every day. A few days later, it all culminates with the anniversary of April 13^th 2002, the day that changed my life forever, the day I answered the phone in my kitchen and heard that Hugh was rushed to the hospital.

At the time, I had no idea our lives would be so incredibly altered, but looking back, 3:00 p.m. on April 13, 2002 began a whole new trajectory for me and my family. What seemed to be a regular day suddenly became a turning point.

The older I grow, the more events will be tucked into April’s calendar—new babies will be born, (Betty’s daughter, Katie, just had a baby boy named Jack yesterday!) and there will be weddings, funerals, engagements, and events we can’t begin to imagine. Both of my girls will be home tomorrow, and they will plant me a vegetable garden for my birthday (It was in March, but we waited to be together to celebrate) I can't think of a better gift than a spring garden full of promise. What do I wish for? Just this: the family in the yard, the sun shining, simple food, the sound of the voices I love to hear and their laughter--just an ordinary day.

Life is unpredictable, and full of wonder.  If I’ve learned one thing, it is to try to simply bend with the twists and turns life takes me on, to lean into the wind, and let it carry me along, because I know that even though there will be dark days, there will be an equal measure of light, if I only keep my eyes open.