Morning T,

I’ve been trying to write this letter to you for a few days now. Lots of starts and stops… Finally I’m on my iPad experimenting, preparing to keep communicating on the river.

It was a different way to celebrate my turning 67. Hard for Adi to digest. Me too. You were my buffer to aging. I was always young in your eyes and younger…Now…I have to be more conscientious to keep the magic elixir alive. Just another challenge in this life without you.

It was a wonderful celebration- kicking off with Hilda and Pearl at Balieys with a plate of St. Louis ribs and potato soufflé and good friends. Then Japanese and jazz with Michael and Jane and we still didn’t get to the weekend.

My family on Saturday hosted by Jeff and Marla. Lots of kids, nieces, brothers,wives, my dad, cousin… Food…. Lovely chaos and I watched it. I listened. I wondered about you in the empty seat next to me.  I watched my dad struggling at 95, remembering your struggles.  Aging, dreading that.

I loved the dinner Jeff and Marla created even after a day of company. Luxurious peace.

Finally it was the official day and after a Jeff breakfast of eggs, pancakes, Fench toast bites we were all out and on the road, headed on. I had movie on my mind and in our tradition, stopped on the way home for the latest Jason Bourne. You would have been frustrated. Me too. There’s just not enough mystery left to justify 2 more hours of chasing, fighting etc. but I still love  Matt!

Finally back home for time to change, and head out to Hoboken for one last b day celebration, breaking In the new Hoboken pad. Wow, did Ami and Adi work their magic, creating a gorgeous new home. You would have been proud and I was the guest of honor. I was speechless! A lovely dinner, a red velvet cake-Leora’s first.

Thank you T for your family!  Just wish you had been there with us. I know, you were there, somehow.

Here’s one last thing:

Adi insisted I take the bouquet of b-day balloons home with me. I knew it would be tricky to drive with them and it was- often I had to stop and move them away from the back window, but as I took them out of the car when I was finally back home for the night, I had them in my hand and looked up at the black sky and heard you whispering… Happy birthday, Bonnie S. I with you…

And I let go, releasing them and they flew up, together… I watched them fly to you…

And we shared the celebration…

Love you forever Tuv R.

Bonnie S.