#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

With my husband and son, with Charlie and Suzi, we walked the way I usually walk this morning, in celebration, (a slight delay), for my birthday.

I want experiences, not things.

I'm a mother of a son who is nearly thirty. He has always been a welcome companion on walks. When we lived in Florida, where he was born, I would often arrive home from work in the evening, well after dark, even after his bedtime. If he was awake, and chances are he was, we would take a walk around the neighborhood under the moonlight and tell each other about the day. He asked so many charming questions then:

where do babies come from? when you die do your toys go to heaven? if you lose your balloon can you get it back after you die? can we buy a house next to Joey (his cousin)? when can we get another baby? what if you're a baby in the clouds and you're too scared to jump, does God give you a push?

I know now that I have raised more than a good son, I have raised a good man.

And now, this Saturday morning: October woods, mist rising from the river and trees of gold all around us - this is the gift I receive.