Tomorrow is my mother's birthday. She would have been 87 if only she were still here with us. She has been gone since 2008. In those eight years, I have missed her fiercely. She was my person to call when something exciting happened in my life or some event came along or I won an award or an election or something like that. No one was quite as astounded by my life as my mom. No one gave the kind of advice she gave me.

I should have recorded her voice. I miss that. I should have more pictures. I miss those. I should have been a more attentive daughter. I missed that.

The world is a bit crazy right now. At least the world that exists outside my front door. The flower beds are wild with growth, the fruit trees are full and lush with beautiful green leaves and many, many buds, birds sing loud songs as soon as the dawn approaches and the deer quietly walk through the lavender beds nibbling here and there on everything that is growing.

The daylight lasts long into the evening and I find myself quietly knitting while I wait for sleep to call me into the bedroom. Quiet times beckon me and soothe me, resting me until the next day awakens.

I love spring and dread the heat of summer. I am hoping Mother Nature will be kind and keep the temperatures at a level that makes me really love summer.

 For now, this early evening moment, I am going to be thankful for all the blooms around the neighborhood.