Beautiful 15

Ladybird's 15th Birthday

More from Abbie Deal

"There are many memories. But I'll tell you the one I like to think of best of all. It's just a homely everday thing, but to me it is the happiest of them all. It is evening time here in the old house and the supper is cooking and the table is set for the whole family. It hurts a mother, Laura, when the plates begin to be taken away one by one. First there are seven and then six and then five...and on down to a single plate. So I like to think of the table set for the whole family at supper time. The robins are singing in the cottonwoods and the late afternoon sun is shining across the floor. Will, your grandfather, is coming in to supper...and the children are all playing out in the yard. I can hear their voices and happy laughter. There isn't much to that memory is there? Out of a lifetime of experiences you would hardly expect that to be the one I would choose as the happiest, would you? But it is."

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich

Echoing Abbie Deal

from A Lantern in Her Hand, Bess Streeter Aldrich

"And now, Abbie, thinking of what the girl had just read to her, returned thoughtfully, 'You can't describe love, Kathie, and you can't define it. Only it goes with you all your life. I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty...and maybe after that sorrow. You wouldn't think that sorrow could be a light would you, dearie? But it can. And then after that, service lights it. Yes...I think that is what love is to a woman...a lantern in her hand.'"

September Musings

In the first 10 days of this month I've:

• been to Toronto and back again
• visited a castle
• laughed with my Autumn Rain and Lavender Girl while being served by a humorous French waiter who was concerned about the salmon on the plate feeling neglected, cleared the landscape (aka the table) and brought us the documentation (aka menu) concerning dessert
• cried over saying goodbye
• turned 43
• completed week 2 out of 36 for this school year

Wonder what the rest of the month will hold?

Casa Loma, Toronto

Reflections of Toronto

Toronto at Night