happy valley

another fabulous weekend.

early saturday morning we met at p's place. with the exception of s, we are not morning people. we are city girls.

we stopped for tea and muffins. gabbed the whole way, caught up. refreshed our girliness.

how fitting that one of the brightest spirits i have ever known lives on a road called happy valley.

the blessingway, an ancient navajo tradition, was beautiful. the love in the room was powerful, it swallowed us and rocked us back and forth between tears and laughter. if one is a reflection of the women around her, of lines of family and friends, then m should exude enough love and energy for all of us. and she does. she has the kind of love that embraces you, draws you in, and holds you like the mighty leo. and for that you cannot help but love back.

earthier than a bridal shower, the blessingway was an experience. i felt as if i was coming home, rejoining a circle.

one by one, we sat next to m, shared our stories, our letters, our poems, our wishes for her as she journeys into marriage.

and one by one, we were moved.

after the blessingway friends and family departed until there was 6.

what else could we do but make pizza and watch dirty dancing? reliving the 'nobody puts baby in a corner' moment and rewinding the face that baby makes as she cries out 'johnny!'

and what weekend would be complete without our pregnant girl donning a tank that says "are you my baby's daddy?"

and stopping for a picture with a giant mouse and buying wisconsin cheese?

how complete can one weekend be?

happy on happy valley road, indeed.