26 and 10

26
Another birthday came and went, and so begins my 27th year. Celebrations included a family dinner (sadly minus my little sister - but only 2 weeks to go!), a lovely lunch with Papa Bear and Peachfuzz at a nice pizza place, a dinner with Damien and Miranda, and today, lunch overlooking some beautiful gardens with my mum and dad. Thank you to everyone who spent time with me, sent me well wishes, and showered me with gifts. I had, and continue to have, a lovely (extended) birthday.

Papa Bear bought me a fantastic new book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, which I am enthusiastically reading at the moment. My parents let me loose in a fabric shop where I picked out a few treasures. Damien and Miranda gave me a gift voucher for a pedicure - perfect for my tired feet and pregnant body. My high school best friend gave me a couple of nights worth of soups and a few batches of muffins to help fill my freezer for when Tiny is born. Such thoughtful gifts from wonderful people. I am blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you!

10
Another year has passed, and today marks ten of them since my Poppa died. My last memory of him is still so vivid, and so sweet, when I saw him on my 16th birthday, two days before he died. I think of him every now and then and miss him, but especially so every June 25, and especially this one. I think it probably has a lot to do with the new life growing in my belly. I feel sad for Peachfuzz and Tiny and any other children we may have, that they never got the chance to meet their Great Poppy. He was such an amazing man whom they would have adored, and I know he too would have adored them.

I wish he could have known me as an adult, and known that Papa Bear and I have made a wonderful life together. I wish he could have been at our wedding six years ago and seen how happy I was. I wish he had the chance to hold my newborn daughter two years ago. I wish he could have had the pleasure of her toddler hugs and kisses and hearing her say "Lub You". I always miss him, but especially so today.