This morning I read the latest post from our friend Sharkey at MQD as she blogged about silos. It took me back many years. I had just started my senior year in high school. On a Saturday, I went back to the farm where I had worked in the summer. The job was to help fill silo. It was a long hard day, and I returned home tired, stinky and sore. I just wanted to stay home and go to bed early. Yet it was my best friend’s birthday and so I showered, put on clean clothes and went to his house on the other side of town.
There were folks that I knew and others that were new. There was one girl present who was very quiet. I almost didn’t notice here. She was sitting next to me at a card table where four of us were playing a game. I was losing. Bad. Teasingly she touched me on the arm with words of mock comfort. I looked at her as I have never looked at another woman–before or since. (Four years later, we would marry.) Today that young woman celebrates another birthday.
Sylvia in Cartago, Costa Rica
That picture is one of my favorites. Sylvia is standing beside the man from whom we would buy oranges every Saturday morning. This picture is the right one on bitter cold and windy day. Road accidents abound in this part of the state. Slippery roads and a steep ditch foiled our plans to get Sylvia’s dad to the airport to catch a flight to Florida. Everyone is okay and we’ll try again on Monday.
Happy Birthday, Sylvia. I love you. Here’s wishing you many happy returns of the day.
For the birthday, the wish is belated, but it is a wish for a wonderful year! For Sylvia (and Chuck) may much happiness and peace abound in your lives!
Sylvia (and I) thank you for the birthday greeting and for the well wishes.
Amazing how a small decision can change our lives forever. Glad you two found each other.
It does work that way, doesn’t it? I’m very happy and consider myself very fortunate that we did meet.
Happy Birthday, Dear Sylvia!! I’m glad that you are both home safe and sound—flights can always be rescheduled.
That is a great photo of a wonderful time for you both. Looks warm—that is my favorite part. Well….other than Sylvia has not changed a darn bit since that photo! Lookin’ GOOD, Sylvia!
We rescheduled dad for a Monday flight. Same time. Same flight number.
We lived in San José, Costa Rica for eight months. Saturday mornings, we would catch the bus to Cartago and return for a late lunch. Climate wise, it is the most wonderful place we’ve ever been. Also, the people there are super. We even considered it as a retirement destination, but family is in Michigan.
Thanks Lin, I thank the Lord that there was no damage to my Dad or me or my Jeep. That picture of us in Costa Rica brings back fond memories.
I loved reading the story of your first meeting with Sylvia. She is such a kind and good woman – glad you married her – glad you both settled here after retirement. God is so good and we are so blessed. Happy birthday to Sylvia and a happy day to you, Chuck.
Thanks, Bonnie. It was a most unusual meeting. I feel that I’ve been blessed beyond all measure. :cloud9:
Thanks for your kind remarks. We’ll celebrate my birthday this week sometime with a nice dinner out.
Very happy and blessed birthday!
Thanks Bill for the birthday wishes.
Happy Birthday to Sylvia. Great picture!
Thanks Vee for the birthday wishes. That is a very old foto, but it brings back good memories.
Did you see the 100+ car pile-up in the news (on I-94 today)? Oy!!
We cancelled dinner plans with friends tonight because of this weather.
Glad everyone was okay over your way!! I’m sorry to hear about the slippery road and the ditch!
How nice that Sylvia’s dad got to be with her longer on her birthday!!
Please send her my warmest wishes for a wonderful birthday. And hurrah that you were losing that game!!! :awe:
Yes, we saw that on the news along with some dramatic footage of the fireworks going off as that one truck burned. You were wise to stay in tonight.
It worked out very well. What I thought was bad luck, turned out to be best ever! :dance:
Thanks for your warm wishes Rosie. They are much appreciated. I’m sure glad I didn’t get caught up in that bad mess–the 7 or 8 vehicles in the mile or so where I was were mostly nicely separated–no crashes!
Happy birthday, Mrs. H!
Thank you Sandi.