Friday Night Fish Fry

In between goals is a thing called life that has to be lived and enjoyed.
Sid Caesar

 

Caleb spent the night with us Friday night.     I did a Relay for Life photo shoot Saturday here in town and he was my assistant.    I look at these pictures and I really can't believe it's him.

Boom.  He is a teenager.

He is taller than me.

Time goes too fast.

Our shoot went great.  My body was tired and achy after it was all over, the marathon of portraits, but inside it felt really good to be able to have a skill I could use to help others.  It was nice.

  
 
 

Everything about Spring is good.

Even the allergies are worth it.   I am so happy that it is time to feed the fish again.  I am so happy that my flower garden has pretty plants in bloom.  I am so happy that the hummingbirds are back flittering around.

I am just happy it is warm!

If you call us on the weekends or even weeknights chances are we aren't going to answer.  I live outdoors from now until late October.  I'll be in the Black Dog bar reading or in the backyard working on my flowers.   And we spend alot of time on the back screened in porch just watching the goings on around us.

It's nice to unplug, be quiet, and enjoy the green.

 

 
  
photo by Caleb and photo from shoot by Delane.

The Caleb Files- becoming a teen

“Only an Aunt can give hugs like a mother, can keep secrets like a sister, and share love like a friend.”
~ Spanish Proverb

 

 

On Mother's Day in 1997 my best friend came running out of her room to the kitchen table where I sat smoking a cig and drinking coffee to tell me that my little sister was having a baby.   She was all fired up.  She had seen Melanie, spoken to Melanie and touched her tummy.   Nothing could convince her it was just a dream.

That afternoon at my parents' house I told my mom how crazy Shishy was and my mom said "Oh my Lord Sharon was shown."  I won't get into all the details of who believes that sort of thing and who doesn't but on that day it was true.  My sister was indeed having a baby.  And not just any baby but our sweet, crazy, fun, wonderful Caleb.

It may sound strange but I knew watching Melanie in that delivery room, accidentally pulling her IVs and hurting her arm....watching Caleb literally come out, I knew in that instance in time that I would never have any children of my own.  I really can't explain it but deep in my heart I just knew.  I knew that he and I were going to be close buddies.  And I knew that I loved him.  As I have loved each and every one of them that has followed.  Even Izzy who wanted nothing at all to do with me until she was old enough to understand the importance of pretty clothes and shopping!

These kids have meant more to my life by far than anything until the day I married Martin and we started our own home and life together.   I love each of them more than I could ever have imagined loving something and put them maybe too far on pedestals sometimes because I guess I believe they can do no wrong.   Not having kids of my own has left me the time and resources to have many wonderful journeys and adventures with them, spoil them and be a big part of their lives.

So Happy Birthday to the first teenager in our family.  Dear Caleb.  The tiny baby I held that made me want to be a good person, an aunt he would be proud to have.  And trust me this old auntie really did change her ways :)