I attained thirty-tworriffic years of livin’ over the weekend. Thirty-two. A comfortable age, an easy feeling.
We’re not big on birthday celebrations in my family, unless they occur during a time period when we’re looking for a reason to prepare a beautiful meal, or go on an adventure. Falling in late June, my birthday usually provides such an opportunity. I feel grateful for every birthday, and I always wish that Howard, my brother who passed away about 8 years ago just shy of his 20th birthday, were celebrating with me.
Saturday night, my mama baked me a strawberry shortcake, with her Aunt Juanita’s homemade shortbread. Oh, my.
Sunday, we woke up to cool, windy skies. Honeydew made me my favorite egg-and-Swiss on an english muffin, and then entertained Maggie Rose for most of the day so that I could pour beeswax candles and craft ornaments. Yes, I worked on my birthday. And I enjoyed it. For dinner, Honeydew took me out to Two Sisters, where I ordered my favorite lemon-dill butter trout with fresh veggies, a Twista, and a delectable brownie sundae. As always, the food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and served with friendly ease.
Honeydew hadn’t yet been up to see Logan Pass, so after dinner we took a leisurely drive up the Going-to-the-Sun Road, an unspeakable luxury that we revel in this time of year. A few raindrops fell as we turned onto the road, but by the time we hit Dead Horse Curve, a gorgeous double rainbow arched over St. Mary Lake, and I knew Howard was with me. Thanks, baby bro.
Driving up the road, my favorite Dixie Chicks tune sounded through the speakers, and I thought back to blasting Wide Open Spaces as I navigated the interstates from Virginia to Montana. That song — penned by a girl who left Texas behind for the University of Montana — was released the year I graduated from high school, and it always takes me back to the first true freedom I ever knew, living in a mildewing little cabin at the intersection of Hwy 89 and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. That taste for freedom turned out to be a life changing addiction, as I turned 19, and then 20, and 21, 22, and now 32 in the shadow of Glacier National Park.
On our way home, the light fell on Divide Mountain — which I’ve always understood to represent the beginning of the world in the Blackfeet culture — in such an unusual way that I knew — as you sometimes just know — that the beginning of my 32nd year is going to be a good one, as long as I work hard and take the time to appreciate all that I am working for.
Precious baby, wonderful husband, stinky dogs, concrete floors, and sticky door knobs. May I see 33.
2012. Glacier County Honey Co. All Rights Reserved.
June 26, 2012 at 9:31 am
I wish you a very Happy (if belated) BIrthday!!!
June 26, 2012 at 10:15 am
Happy Birthday, Courtney! So sorry I missed it!! You look beautiful as usual!!!
June 28, 2012 at 8:00 am
Thanks, Wanda!
June 26, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Happy Birthday, Courtney! Love the pictures, love your words…sounds like you had a fabulous birthday! I love how thankful you are for everything in your life! It’s so beautiful to read.
June 28, 2012 at 7:58 am
Thanks, Ashley.
June 27, 2012 at 11:25 am
So glad that Howard sent you a rainbow on your bday weekend!
June 28, 2012 at 7:56 am
He’s still a pretty awesome little bro.
June 27, 2012 at 12:08 pm
May you see 33 and many more!! filled with all of your favorite things. 🙂
June 28, 2012 at 7:56 am
Thanks, Patrice!
June 27, 2012 at 6:31 pm
I will never cease smiling from ear to ear whenever I hear that song, thinking about all of us singing it at the top of our lungs during Sarah’s farewell party 🙂
June 28, 2012 at 7:55 am
Me, neither.