Okay, I did it. I painted my head on Easter like an Easter egg. It happened to be for an April-Fool’s-Eve party, but the timing was right. Actually, Karen painted it for me with face paints, we just skipped the face. Here we are, her in her Easter bonnet, made with fresh azaleas, rose buds and baby’s breath. And me in my egg-head!
Hotties!
The timing was just right for a birthday celebration, too. My forever young husband Michael turned 77-years-old on Easter. He appears to be twenty years younger both in body and spirit, however, so he still revels in his wife’s silliness. Isn’t that silly!
We have another silly friend. Her name is Debbie Diestler. Have you ever heard of her? She’s quite the artist and quite the singer, and she sang to Michael on his birthday. She wasn’t being silly, though. She sang him the song Forever Young, which she had also sung to him seven years before at his 70th birthday party. In giving Michael her gift of music, she gave ME the greatest gift!
Debbie: Forever Young!
I sat listening to her and looking at Mike sitting there watching her, then back to Debbie, then back to Mike, when suddenly I burst out crying. It occurred to me for the first time that I would not be around to watch Michael get old. Sure, some of you are saying, “Are you crazy? He already IS old!” But he’s not. He can still ride his bicycle 100 miles and backpack up the Swiss Alps. Not bad–huh?
Anyway, I realized by listening to Debbie’s beautiful singing and song, that I would not live long enough to see Mike’s hair turn white, see him through any health crisis that might arise, watch him soften with age like a ripe pear, or share his new-found wisdom. I realized for the first time that growing old is not a curse, rather it’s a sacred time in life to be shared intimately with those you love and who love you. I cried at my loss.
This would be a sad story, except that later, the next morning as I lay in bed watching Mike still sleeping (older people sleep longer-ha ha), I was overtaken with such gratefulness to receive this new love feeling and this new grief feeling. It was a moment of grace! After all, aren’t we put on this earth to experience all that it has to offer, including human emotions. Every new one is another egg in our basket.
My Love!
Speaking of which, I better stop typing now. I have some leftover robin-blue covered chocolate eggs that need gathering!
P. S. to subscribers: If you are wanting to share on fb and don’t see the icon below, you need to go back up to the top of this post and click on the blue title. I think that will do it. Thank you!
Kind friends all gather ’round
Something I would say
What brings us together here
Has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle
That holds us all inside
Strangers are as family
Loneliness can’t hide.
“Give Yourself to Love” – Kate Wolf
(Couldn’t have said it better myself)
Oh, George. You always bring out the love in me! Thanks!
I also love your CD. Are you on UTube singing it yet? If not, would you consider it?
I just love your sense of humor! What an egg head lol!
Thanks, Debra. Hee Hee, Ha ha, Ho ho!
Yes, I know Debbie Diestler and think she is the cat’s meow, Yes, you are gorgeous as an Easter Egg, and I adore your spirit, and YES, I am crying right now reading your words and totally getting what you are saying about the blessings of growing old with someone, the grace of embracing all human emotions, and how amazing you are!!!!! Thank you as always for your insights, your courage, and your vulnerability. You stun me, and are stunning. Francie
Francie, I can’t keep up with all the kind things you say, so will read each one every day until I get them all. 🙂
Thanks!
We love the head painting. Dennis says he wants to try it next. But with him, his hormone treatments give him more hair on his head, not less.
Give Mike a hug and kiss (from me, Dennis refuses) for a late birthday wish.
Love to both of you.
Liz
Okay on the hug and kiss to Mike from you, Liz, but I also gave him one from Dennis! Ha Ha
Beautiful! Gayle, you are beautiful, and so is your writing. Thank you for sharing your spirit and your spirituality, and your sense of humor with us! You are amazing! You celebrate the little joys and the big joys in this crazy, wonderful world. Thank you for helping us to open our eyes and enjoy ourselves each and every day and to put things into perspective like you do. I love your egg head! You crack me up!
–Your hiking group friend,
Jeannie
Oh, good one–you crack me up, too, you yolkster! Thank you for your kind words, Jeannie. I so love sharing my love of this world, and it makes me happy to know you like it, too!
Sorry I missed Mikes party, belated happy birthday to him, and a good girl to you, great you felt the blessing in a difficult moment. When you can come see my garden, egg heads allowed 🙂 Love Ya, Bobbie
I’d love to see your garden, and your art. I saw one of your paintings hanging in the NVAL gallery. That’s the first piece I’ve seen since you painted a picture of that white house for your mom decades ago.
Dearest Gayle,
Life doesn’t get better than sharing good laughs, tears of joy and saddness together, memories that will certainly live on forever(or at least until my brain fades away), and a forever young song with my sweet friends. You are the best gift of all and certainly the best decorated egghead I know and love!
So, just how many eggheads do you know anyway? Yes, I agree about the tears of joy and sadness we share with each other. Those are the precious moments in live that make it worthwhile. I’m thankful you and I share those moments.
Gayle, you are the most amazing lady. You truly know how to celebrate life. I am so glad that you have some silly friends, and Mike, who know how to make everyday a reason to live, love and laugh. You have so much spirit, grace and strength. The Easter egg dome is beautiful. Lots of love from Canada. Helen
Hi Helen, I happen to know your Larry is quite playful, too. Aren’t we the lucky ones! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Gayle for your beautiful thoughts that will be forever with me.
I just love the artwork on your head!!! You have just added another colorful egg to my basket. BIG HUGS, Lynda 🙂
Hey, think you could paint a cat on my head!
You truly are a delight to all who know you and love you. Lynne
Thanks! We are all in this together==aren’t we!
Great party, made wonderful by all the friends! Life certainly is a teacher, and the knowledge and insights gained, although we appreciate the learning, are painful realizations at the same time. I am very happy your have had so much love in your life. xo Joy
You’ve been a big part of that love for, how long? 40 years!
It was so much fun painting your head! I love you both dearly and it was a beautiful day in so many ways. Laughter, tears, good food, singing. What you wrote and read to Mike just blew me away. There was so much love in that, Gayle and amazing vulnerability. Watching you and Mike at that moment will be in our minds forever….and when you kissed and hugged, your love just melded into each other.
I watched Mike & you when Joanie read her “Sonnet” to Mike…that was just over the top beautiful. When I saw you crying I wanted to hold you..I knew what you were thinking…I cried with you. Your writing is amazing, Gayle. I wish I could protect you both from harm. I will laugh with you still, and love you with all my heart and support every feeling you are having…but I still must say..I think it sucks. There. I’ve said it!! LOVE you so much, Karen
Wow! Thanks for all the love. Will take it and return it!
You are an inspiration Gayle. Your humor, your insight, your spiritual balance, your ability to love freely and your willingness to let go of the rocks we all cling to and float freely down the river.
Much love!
Beautiful, Michole, thank you!
Gayle,
Love the Easter Egg head. Love the love you describe. Got the house. You’ll have to come. Moving in August.
Love the love! Yay! Sorry to say with this chemo brain, you’ll have to remind me about the house.
Oh, wait. I remember. The acreage that sounds divine! I’m so happy for you; would love to get some photos!
Gayle, you make me aware of life’s precious moments and I thank you. I love you. Jacque
You have many precious moments. I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
Okay, I have a song for you, Ms. Gorgeous Egghead – bright and beautiful Gayle:
(in part here) – You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray…” remember that one? I sing it every morning to my beloved Christina the cow as I am brushing her and she just sighs and settles into the brush. So I am dedicating it to you as well. The song is magic, I’m tellin ya!! Love ya lots, special lady! Rita
You’re right, that song is magic. I started smiling when I read it and haven’t stopped yet. Thank you Christina for sharing your song!
Well you have done it again my dearest egghead…put yourself, your heart, your laughter and tears right out there on the table for the taking…for us to feast upon, to feed our hearts and souls. No one does it better (hey remember that song?) than you. What a treasure you are and how blessed I am to have come upon you in my life in the last year. Thank you dear one and thank your man for having a birthday…and no he does NOT look or act 77! Great love to you both, Pam
Hi Pam, You do have a flair for writing! Thank you for feasting at my table. During good times and bad, the taste is always sweet!