Happy Birthday

A couple of weeks ago, Lea and I celebrated our 32nd birthday.

We met for dinner at Rolf and Daughters, and then she and I got to go out for dessert afterwards, just the two of us.

Lea is one of the most clear-eyed, brilliant, giving women I know. She thinks she doesn’t know what she wants, but what I see is a woman who knows her own mind, and exactly what she wants. Her standards are high, for herself and for her life, and not just any old thing will do. She is always striving to bring into existence this ideal that she is reaching for. She’s an artist, creating her life’s work.

And she loves, so well. In a way that makes you feel it deep in your heart, through to your bones. She has always been my strongest defender, my champion and cheerleader. I wouldn’t be who I am without her.

And today, my mom is celebrating her 60th birthday. I really can’t believe it – sixty years. My mom has walked through storms of this life that make today, this birthday, truly a miracle. And a testament to her strength, to her perseverance, to her determination to never give up, to hold onto faith and hope.

I am blessed to know these women and to be loved by them so fiercely. I read Lisa Jo’s post last week about her own birthday, and I loved that she took the opportunity to celebrate her mom. I don’t have any super hero capes to give away, but if I did, I know some incredible ladies whose wardrobes are lacking just such a thing.

Happy birthday, Mom. Happy birthday, Lea. I love you both.