28th

Last night, we topped off a pretty remarkable weekend with a beach fire.  The first beach fire of the season, the first since we moved in.  I knew that he was tired and didn't want to go anywhere at dusk on a Sunday night.  But, he didn't hesitate to say yes and within twenty minutes we were sitting on the rocky beach, drinking cheap beer, and listening to the last of the birds turn in for the night.  I ended the year the same way I started it: smoke in my hair, happy, and full of life.


I woke up this morning wanting to do two things: write and be outside all day.  It is Earth Day, you know, and boy the Earth is out in its birthday suit today.

A year makes all the difference.  Last's birthday was special, filled to the brim with friends and family, adventures, and homemade cake.  A Monday birthday promises other things and today I find myself in a big empty house, the company this year the dog.  And that's okay because it gives me time to slow down, reflect, dig in the dirt, and sit in the sun.



I am very blessed and also very grateful.  In my 27th year, I became a better wife, nurse, daughter, and friend.  I made mistakes and had days not worth repeating, but overall had a quality year.  This year will most likely be the same, as most days are the same for all of us.  But, I'm confident that next April 22nd, I'll be typing away, satisfied with the progress I've made, and better by the new things I've discovered in the year.




(Last year's list)

1. Dogs who make a full recovery.

2.  A day when the windows are open until it gets dark.

3.  Sitting at the corner bar at Seatown, drinking hard apple ciders and sharing shrimp cocktail with my husband.

4.  Legs still strong to carry me up mountains.

5.  Glittery water outside my bedroom window.

6.  Friends who are making babies and all of the possibilities that baby will bring.

7.  Herbs in windowsills.

8.  Sunday brunch at Mo's.

9.  Kayak rental gift cards.

10.  Parents who support me, love me, and hide Easter eggs around the yard for the dogs.

11.  Instagram.  It made the list last year.  Pictures are worth more than characters.

12.  Seagulls guarding bridges.

13.  That its just the two of us right now.

14.  Flowers from Central Market.

15. Sports documentaries.

16.  Neighbors who bring in our trash can.

17.  How much he has accomplished in a year, away from everything he knew.

18.   The side of Washington that he has shown me.

19.  Lilac bushes outside bathroom windows.

20.  This. And how I'm not perfect at it and the computer doesn't always work, but the chance to write and share never goes away.

21.  The trees, the water, the dirt--how each smell flashes my life before my eyes.

22.  Our new pace.  Everything is far now, so we have to plan and prioritize.

23.  The flowers that keep popping up outside.  We don't know what's coming next.

24.  5:00pm.  I'm home from work, the sun is strong, and he is on his way.

25.  Birthday dinners at Alderbrook.

26.  Overcast Seattle days.

27.  A brother who is babysitting the rambunctious yellow dog so I can type and hike.

28. And beach fires.

If you need me, I'll be outside.