March 17th

Today is...almost was my birthday, a strangely beautiful one. Over breakfast with Peter we read the many cards I received from friends and family near and far. So much sweetness, so much love, my heart is full! My niece Monica sent me a pile of old family photographs she found The stunner in the pile was a postcard I mailed to my parents from aboard the oceanliner Nieuw Amsterdam. I was 18 and wanted to marry a man my parents did not find suitable, so they sent me to Europe for three months in the hope I'd change my mind. That's how parents were able to handle a crisis at that time :) And what a wise thing they did! Separation does not always make a heart grow fonder. Had it not been for the imposed exile I would not have met Peter, the love of my life, the man with whom I have shared an incredibly rich and wonderful life.

While I was with Peter today elves were at work at home. Peter had asked Heidi and Ron to get flowers for me, lots of them. Heidi made bouquets for every room in the house including the bathroom. The two of them cleaned and tidied and set up a birthday table. When I came home at four, we had a little celebration in the sunny sunroom. There was champagne and the cutest mini birthday cakes, cards and presents, laughter and tears.

Our friend Mary made an elegant birthday lunch of lentils, roasted root vegetables and poached salmon and for dessert an incredible apricot almond tart. For starters there was a wonderful cheese made in Maine to have with the chilled Pinot Blanc! The wine we'll have at Peter's homecoming celebration.