Gifts Without Paper and Bows

I spent my birthday last week in my old home town, and it was a lovely day. My childhood friend and my mother and I had coffee, lunch, and a walk about town.

The sun was shining, it was warm but not too hot. Here’s a little bit of what we found.

It still makes me smile.

At first the cuteness seemed harmless; my guess is we looked tasty.

The “Go, away!” command was my mother.

I never tire of looking at the Clackamas River.

My mom is 87 and healthy. How many of us can say that? I am grateful for this each and every day.

My friend and I have known each other for 50 years. How many people can say they’ve had a childhood friend for 50 years? That the friendship has only grown stronger?

The three of us giggle like school children when we visit. Just like always.

I don’t need gifts with paper and bows.

Home is a lovely place to visit.