I’m still not quite sure how you did it.
I find myself looking down at the pillow tied with a belt around my waist and the Fred Flintstone costume covering me; while you stand elegantly beside me as Wilma. You wave majestically at the kids, as they walk through their Halloween parade at Bellevue School, while I manage a grimace trying to keep my belt from falling down. The look of horror on Ryan’s face may have almost been worth it. Someone needed to be your Fred. After all these years, I’m glad it was me.
You have been my constant. The one who picks me up for tea just to “catch up”. The one who listened and still loved me despite my many flaws (I heard being pretty and smart are considered ones…who knew????)
You have managed and directed when I couldn’t. You have taken care of me when the last thing I want to think about is myself.
You have loved me. You have loved Scott and the girls. And I know how much you loved Ryan.
His face, as he opened to the door to you standing in your robe with your coffee cup, said it all. “Mom, Nat’s here.” He shook his head with that half smile. “You two are so weird”.
“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
– Dr. Seuss
Happy Birthday Nathalie Gendreau. I love you!