Quiet. Peaceful. Perfect.

We decided to go for a drive Sunday evening.

We ended up at the park as the sun was setting.

We were greeted at first by only two little turtle dudes.

...and then all of their buddies joined us. See the little specks? Turtle heads!

We could only stay until dark, so as the sun was setting we started walking lazily toward the park entrance.

The sky was perfect.

We heard a flock of geese approaching us from a distance...

...and we lingered just long enough to watch them fly overhead before getting into the Jeep and driving away.

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Thank you for teaching me that happiness lies in people, not in possessions.

Thank you for making sure I understood what Christmas is really about.

Thank you for laughing, crying, grumbling, and raging with me.
Thank you for always always always lending an ear and a shoulder.
Thank you for being honest, patient, and kind.
Thank you for celebrating individuality and encouraging me to be my own person.

Thank you for loving me when individuality gave way to purple hair dye stains in the bathtub.
Thank you for showing me that anything worth doing is worth doing right.

Thank you for shuffling me to and from work before I had a car.
Thank you for all of the home-cooked meals.

Thank you for a hundred boxes of Crayola crayons and hours of coloring.
Thank you for mediating countless arguments.
Thank you for being patient when I was so trying in high school.
Thank you for singing along with the Disney songs.
Thank you for replacing Freds in the middle of the night.
Thank you for protecting me.
Thank you for encouraging my insatiable appetite for books and words.

Thank you for allowing me to decorate and personalize my room.
Thank you for showing me that there are always good people in the world.
Thank you for keeping me in check.
Thank you for giving me faith.
Thank you for taking care of me, of Jessica, of Dad, and of everyone around you.

Thank you for living by example instead of by words.

I love you more.
Rebecca Ruth