The 17th is a Very Good Day!

A year ago this past November 19th, I had the florist deliver a dozen roses to my sister in Portland, Oregon. It was her birthday, one that ends in a zero. We had not communicated for about 30 years. I didn't even know if she'd acknowledge the flowers or if I would hear from her.

A couple of hours after phoning the florist, my sis called me all excited and then emailed a photo of the roses. It all started that day. It's been a fabulous 14 months of emailing and sending envelopes and packages.

So when my November 17th birthday was on the horizon several months ago, she decided to send me a card a day for the month leading to my birthday. Receiving "real" mail rather than the "junk" mail is fun. She sent all kinds of cards--funny, serious, and everything in between. The card that arrived on my birthday opened-up with the sound of people applauding. It gave me goosebumps (stupid, huh). What surprised me was the day after my birthday one more card arrived. She knew I'd need just one more.

So today I thought you might like to see my birthday cards. She also included crazy stuff inside: photos of us when we were kids, ribbons that said "39 Forever," even sent some Disney bucks from when we were kids.

She also sent packages with everything imaginable, but one package was unique. A little gift box inside of a bigger box. I opened it to find velvet and wrapped inside was a wishbone from a chicken. She wanted all my birthday "wishes" to come true. Wow!

For years and years I have celebrated the 17th of every month. Not with cake and ice cream or with parties and balloons. Just a quiet acknowledgement (Mr. Fun would debate whether it is quiet) that the 17th is the best darn day of the month. I thought you might want to be aware of that.

Oh, and hey, it's only 10 months till my birthday.

I thought you ought to know.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie, aka

P.S. For my sister's birthday two days later, I sent 12 cards that all arrived the same day. She says she no longer celebrates birthdays, but she loved those cards. I also had the florist deliver roses. Did I tell you that it is really great to be back in touch with my sister?