My birthday was yesterday. And it was wonderful. A far, far different day from the plans I had tried to make and the plans that were then substituted. And quite perfect.
One of the lessons of life for me is that it unwinds itself exactly as it should and that I can't control it. And something I keep reminding myself of is that I have to appreciate what's right in front of my face and not look over and yon and bemoan the "lack of" in my life. I think the photo of the fishnet, taken yesterday in St. Bride's in the fog speaks a lot to me: Of not missing the small pile of beautiful colours lost in the surrounding harbour of boats.
I spent the day with the two people I love most in the world, my daughter and granddaughter.
We decided to defer our trip to the St. Pierre & Miquelon islands and spend the day at one of my favourite spots, Cape St. Mary's, which has hundreds of thousands of seabirds to view once you take a hike out on the stunning high cliffs which are covered with wild flowers.
The gannets were a powerful presence, both birds taking care of their chick whilst performing their extraordinarily sensuous "necking" with each other.
The site had an evening performance as an added bonus. with an Irish flavoured old style variety concert which included story telling and the uileann pipes followed by dessert and coffee.
Some days I treasure in my heart forever. This is one of them.
seabirds...sunshine...flowers..music...family. and dessert!
ReplyDeletea happy birthday indeed!
Happy Birthday - Glad your day was as great as it should have been!
ReplyDeleteMany Happy Returns WWW - sounds like the celebration you had wasn't quite SUCH a compromise in enjoyment from Plan A. And surely you can also do Plan A sometime soon?
ReplyDeleteI'm a great believer in having one's cake and eating it wherever possible. Or win-win situations. Perhaps that is not v. philosophical of me!
Sounds like serendipity to me, WWW!
ReplyDeleteI hope the coming year will be equally serendipitous for you. :-)
Laurie:
ReplyDeleteWhat more could I ask for?
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Conor:
Thank you!
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Laura:
Actually it was Plan C but who's counting? :>)
Thank you!
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T:
Oh yes it was and I am so grateful for each passing year as my mother died so young and this makes me aware of what I would have missed.
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XO
WWW
I'm pleased you had such a happy birthday, with treasured memories to ensure those 'many happy returns'.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you had a happy birthday, particularly after the heartache from a few weeks back. :-)
ReplyDeleteRJA:
ReplyDeletethank you, it was quite wonderful and extraordinary.
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Jo:
I feel very blessed, thank you.
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XO
WWW
That sounds like a truly wonderful birthday. I hope there are many more to come.
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour photos make me very envious, landlocked as I am in London, the perpetual groan of the motorway in my ears.
OF
Nick:
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was just perfect.
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OF:
Thank you, I think this is why I treasure this place so much having been in the big city for so long. but there's a lot to be said for the city too!!
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XO
WWW
Happy Belated Birthday dear WWW!
ReplyDeleteWishing you many happy returns, celebrations with your loved ones and friends, photographs that capture the magical moments, beautiful sunny and clear skies. :)
Gxox
Thank you Gaye for your lovely sentiments.
ReplyDeleteLife is good once we stay in the moment.
XO
WWW
I thought of you that day, WWW, but did not make the effort to congratulate you then, so a belated congratulations is in order here. One thing is for sure, I will certainly never forget your birthday.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a hard day for me, not one of sorrow. I thought about my son, but felt no anguish. Wherever he is, he is okay, I know that much.
I am glad you had a good day with your beloveds. I hope you all feel comfortable around each other and free to talk and joke and laugh. It is so important to. Sometimes there is so much crap that gets in the way.
I love it when birds neck. They do it so gracefully, much better than humans do. Swans do it the best.
I always look forward to your blog so much and I think, what will she have for us today? Well, the same as yesterday, but that's okay, I know you are a busy woman, so I'll be patient.
ReplyDeleteA belated Happy Birthday! It sounds as though you spent it in the most perfect way.
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time, for a bit, with my connection and wasn't able to leave comments. I had read your post re family and disappointment and was struck by how completely I felt that I understood what you wrote. I've finally come to terms with sibling relationships but it has been so very difficult - no one can hurt you like the ones that you love - and no one knows you better (if only because of time) than siblings. It can be awful.
I'm glad to read that your birthday was spent in such a delightful way.
Irene:
ReplyDeletethank you, I thought of you too and am happy that you are at peace with your son.
I've been away and will be so again tomorrow with my granddaughter and our annual trip away with each other.
More next week after today's post.
XO
WWW
P:
ReplyDeleteIt is so comforting to find understanding ears and hearts out there and know I am not alone in feeling the kind of disappointment that only sibs can create for us through our own expectations. I try and invision everyone in the family with suitcases, some big and some little, some dealt with, some not and the ones who manage to find some new bigger luggage to cart around everywhere!!!
thanks for your thoughts, I had checked you a few times and thought you had some e-challenges!
XO
WWW