The starting gate

It feels a bit like the beginning of the Kentucky Derby. The venue is set, the spectators have arrived in all their finery, the stage is set for a stupendous show, and the stands are filling up. The horses are antsy; prancing around nervously as they are lead up to the start gate. A new race is about to start. Dyllan will be coming home soon, but we don't know just when yet, so we will celebrate, as we had intended, by throwing a baby shower at the Casa.

The party connects me to all of the support group that has helped me raise my own daughter, Erica, and reminds me of just how important this new beginning is in all of our lives. It reconnects us with our own surroundings and beginnings and reminds us that we are all interconnected somewhere along the way. The party seems to have a life of it's own-everyone wants a reason to celebrate and be joyful amongst other conceived disasters that complicate our lives.

So many have been helpful in pulling off this party. Erica's friends from as far back as preschool have come out of the woodwork. It takes a community to raise a child. Bonnie has been my business partner now for 17 years and I tend to take her presence for granted. Her children grew up alongside mine. Her sons have both gotten married this past year; Andy, to Michelle-one of Erica's best friends. Bonnie is a super classy lady. She took lessons from her Mom who traveled the world and was widowed early, then a young onset of Alheimers of which she eventually died-(see old blog-July 5th, 2007-Unconditional Love) Memories along the road of life that can obstruct or propel us to live life differently. Bonnie stabilizes the work load while I flit through a turbulent journey. She manages to elegantly compose herself in a world around her that is moving at such a fast pace, and remain calm.

Steve and Sean plod off to ready the house for the party. Steve to Costco to get food, flowers, and move tables, then to paint a new room for Dyllan at the Casa. Sean and Dan are still helping to move things out of our Salem Woods house down to the Casa. I have not lifted a finger in the move. "Just tell me where you want this to go?" "How shall we set this up?" I am sleeping in one house one day, the hospital the next, and the waterfront house the next. Each day my vision morphs to a new reality. We are all doing the best we can at each moment in time, but we need comfort and reassurances from those that surround us to be the best we can be. Energy is contagious-pass on some joy today and watch the results!
The races are about to start. Feel the excitement.