Friday In Philly 2016

Maryanne's is my favorite place to buy "sticky buns" in Philly.

In Doylestown to be exact.

Sooo, last week on Friday in Philly,

we bought sticky buns.

It is tradition.

We drove to Collegeville, Pa.

It is also tradition that we take flags to my Uncle Bruce's grave site

and 

eat breakfast there.

The buns were fabulous and I ate like a pig.

.

Here is where my dear, wonderful, Uncle Bruce rests.

He stood by me when I was alone.

He means so much to me.

I will never, never do to anyone, 

what my family members did to me.

Never.

But then, if my family had not left me, 

Bruce would never have entered my life.

Bruce was

Logic, Loyalty & Love.

He will be part of my life forever.

We returned to the Inn...

and I took a long nap after reading.

Then we drove to New Hope.

Parked the car and walked.

We walked from NJ to PA, 

crossing the beautiful Delaware River on a quaint bridge

The swan, only one, was beautiful.

I wonder where it's mate was?

I saw this oil painting in a coffee shop.

We went in to buy it for Lauren's "yellow" wall,

but the girl working there informed us with a smile,

that SHE bought it just moments before.

I loved that painting. 

So did she.

We had reservations at Brian's in Lambertville, NJ.

Dinner was lovely.

I mean REALLY lovely.

Brian's has a pre-fix menu.

I got the lamb. It was perfection.

It was the best birthday trip ever....

Wait till you hear about our Saturday! 

****

Yesterday was 1st week of Camp Robi.

My camper, 4 year old Matilda was awesome

 and 

a good sport.

It was Photography Day,

after she completed her assignments,

at lunch,

she received her

photography patch!

We did lots of things along with her assignments.

Soccer,

painting,

memorizing a poem...

The morning went fast.

8 more weeks to go!

Have a happy day...pretend that you are at camp!

Love you.

Me

A Birthday Toast

   Aren't you amazed at the special people God sends into our lives when we need them most of all? Scenarios you would never think of, but matches  made in heaven.

   Today is the anniversary of the birth of a very good friend. Bruce became part of our family and made a difference. It was just coincidence that he was also my Uncle.

   He and Larry became close friends, he worried about Lauren's health, loved Josh, called Jami, "My girl", and would call me every two weeks to check up on things. (in reality it was his excuse to chat while waiting for the bank, post office or hardware store to open) Those wonderful, newsy visits were something I always looked forward to.

   Bruce also loved his birthday. Just like me! Every year I would send him a box of Godiva Chocolates. He would call to say thank you, and then call every other day with the count. He kept count of the chocolates that Sue stole out of his box, his favorites and where he had to hide the box.

  Since Bruce's death months ago, I have dreaded today. Purely selfish reasons. The excitement of his birthday, ordering chocolates, singing Happy Birthday on the phone.

   What a joy he was in our lives. I have missed him every day since his death, but today most of all. Bruce let us in his life, accepting us for who we are.

    Do you have someone special like this? Someone who comes out of the blue, into your life and makes a difference? If you do, please tell them how much they mean to you.

   Bruce did not come from a family that was demonstrative, but I told him often how much he meant to me. He would blush, and always answered back.

    Today I raise my glass. A toast to someone who would not be swayed by rumor or  innuendo. He loved me just because. Happy Birthday!

Love you Bruce,

Me