Shirley

It comes around every year. Some years we don’t really get an opportunity to celebrate on the day itself. This year was different. Dutch custom says that you wait at home and accept guests. I told people they could have the morning (if Shirley wanted) because I had plans for the rest of the day. 

We spent the day walking around the stores of Maastricht. Shirley hasn’t been in a while and she enjoys her window shopping. It is always nice to look and see what is being sold. And the Christmas lights were all out! Afterwards we stopped for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - a fusion place with steak, fish, chicken and veggie variations. 

Later this evening we are going to cuddle down and watch some Pride and Prejudice (the series, not the movie) after we light all the candles in the house and get some good snacks ready. We are blessed to be able to celebrate, to have time to do this together, and to be able to get around with our car. But mostly I am blessed with this wonderful woman who has been with me more than half her life. 

Thank you for so many who have already wished her a happy birthday. And happy birthday to all of those who share this day with Shirley - there are a lot of you in our lives as well!