Birthday Breakfast

I almost managed to get all of my immediate family together for a breakfast for my two November babies. Moira and Vanja were born seven years and three days apart. We three were comrades for most of my adult years, as my two marriages etc. were not lasting. My mothering has lasted. Our family has lasted...and grown to include spouses for each and four grandchildren for me. Moira is now comrades with her two: Olivia and Wyatt. Wyatt had a prior engagement this morning. Vanja and his Christy have the two little ones in the photograph: Julia and Bryce.

We ate at the local and broadminded Lebanese restaurant. Humus, Grape leaves, hummus, and falafel share the menu with fresh local seafood etcetera, and breakfast is pretty traditional. We all leaned toward spinach & feta omelets, grits, and pancakes. The décor is verrry interesting.

For me, arriving first to claim a table for seven, the highlight of the morning was the unabashed affection of my grandchildren. Hugs are generous and long-lasting. In fact, the littlest one kept remembering that another one was in order. Since he sat next to me, I received a snuggle between each bite of pancake. Olivia sat on the other side of her nan, and she is also most generous with her love. It was truly sweet to see my little ones (as tall as they are: 5' 10'' and 6' 4'') sit side by side. They both live such busy lives: Moira has a yoga studio, and Vanja is English Specialist in the learning lab of the Junior college. Christy is a teacher there.

After rather a lively time, we said goodbye with more hugs all around, and I must make the rapid transition from socializing with my offspring and theirs to the solitary existence with my pets that is my usual reality. Here on the desk beside me is a small poem on a small piece of paper: a poem from Julia (She wrote them for each of us.) Here is mine.

Nanny
artistic, gentle
painting, dancing, walking
very, very, very nice
grandma