Another year goes by...

My sister Anita and I share a birthday and today is the day! We are not twins, she is four years older than me, and we have a brother born in between us. We have always celebrated together even since I moved to North Carolina. Last year was extra special. Somehow we managed to get a good bunch of the family together for dinner at Anita's home. Jeff took this photo of us gathered around my parents. It's the last birthday that I was able to celebrate with my mother.

Mum with her great-grandaughter

 Danielle and Arianna getting ready to set the cake on fire

This year I am home in North Carolina for my birthday. There was too much going on this fall to be able to head north. Jeff and I will have our own little dinner party together. I am even going to buy myself a cake. Anita and I will exchange birthday wishes via telephone. I am sure there will be call from Danielle, even though we talked last night. It won't be the same, but it will still be good.

September 11th

 September 11th is my parents  wedding anniversary. Since 2011, it's been pretty hard to forget their special day. This fall we were planning a family gathering to celebrate their 60th. This will be a difficult day for my Dad, since my Mum passed away in May. I wish I could be there for him.

I can't believe that when this picture was taken at Danielle's christening, that they were my age!

and that same year, they celebrated 25 years together...