Fog

I really love fog. It's so beautiful.
You wouldn't necessarily think so at first, but fog undeniable holds the fingerprint of its Creator.

Fog brings depth into stark relief. And this so simply by its very nature.

Fog diffuses light, making the presense of it more obvious. And uninterrupted darkness becomes a seemingly empty void.

It blankets.
It shelters.
It surrounds.

And yet, it can't be gathered into a box, bottle, or container. As you reach out to grasp it, somehow it escapes, eludes, evades confinement. But, I know it's there. I cannot doubt its true existence because I can see it all around me, next to me, in front of and behind me. I can feel it in my lungs when I draw breath.

Fog unveils the path only as you approach -- right before your very eyes, one step at a time. Sometimes you must start traveling a direction before you know where exactly it leads. And bends, turns, obstacles are not revealed until the very moment of decision.

Isn't fog a beautiful thing?

The year of surprises, apparently...

...as I was in Colorado the weekend before last for yet another surprise birthday party.

This one was my Grampa's 80th, boy was he surprised! (And, since I'm the only one on that side of the family who lives out-of-state, it was especially good that I was there. The first thing my Grampa said was, "You're here?!?")

But I'm getting ahead of myself. That was Sunday - more to come...

I flew in early Saturday morning, and my Dad and cousin Michelle picked me up at the airport. We went to my sister's house and hung out -- which included making caramel-apples.

Forget the apple... I'm eating the caramel!

Ok... now, back to Sunday and the party.

We surprised my Grampa first at church by having a cake reception during the break time between services.

Mom and me cutting the HUGE cakes.

Then we (meaning my parents, my mom's 3 siblings and their spouses, my sister, and all the cousins) whisked my grandparents to a fancy restaurant for Sunday brunch.

All the grandkids with Gramma and Grampa.

(PS. I'm 10 years older than the next oldest cousin. She's sitting at the far left. On her lap is my "twin" -- well... 21 years and a day younger. But close enough!)

At the restaurant, all 20-25 of us sat at one LONG table. I called it the Viking table. I like Viking tables.

The giant card... and it plays the Star Wars theme music when you open it.

I think Grampa felt honored -- and I'm so glad I got to be a part of the celebration!