28 on the 28th

I've been looking forward to being 28 for quite some time. In college my mentor and another good friend were discussing ages one day and agreed that 28 is the best age. They had their reasons.

I have my own reasons for looking forward to the coming year. In the next year my niece's cancer treatments will be done, I will be doing a bit more writing (more on this soon I hope), we will be traveling around Europe a bit more (Spain and London are next), I'll be watching Jim's thesis come together, and I will enjoy adventures and creative imaginings with my three wonderful boys. Oh, and hopefully I'll be getting a bit more sleep than in the past year!

It sounds so good and today was an auspicious start to this 28th year.

We spent the morning in one of our favorite places; wandering through richly colored rooms with art hanging all around! Oh, how we all love the National Gallery in Edinburgh! Some of the paintings feel like familiar friends that I will miss when we leave this place (Woman in Grey, The Spell, Alexander the III rescued from the Fury of a Stag..., ... ... ) And today I stole a few moments to myself in the tiny octagonal room with Poussin's Sacraments - my favorite nook. After the gallery we had a quick visit to the Gift shop where Jim let me pick my birthday present (A Charlie Harper Calandar for the coming year and Wonderbear - a fabulously imaginative wordless book). I then had a tasty Ceasar salad at Gourmet Grub and wandered around the shops on Princes Street. After the train ride home there was a wee bit of time for sewing while Jim made dinner. Wraps, cake, play practice, some time with Jim (and more to come when I finish this post). This is close to the perfect day. Thank you all for your cards, gifts, well wishes via email and facebook; I feel full and loved.

(And nothing makes me feel the reality of aging more than how big and independent this boy is becoming!)