Phoebe is 25!

It's all here, waiting for you, my dear. The Three Graces are watching, shading their eyes against the sun, watching for your car to come around the sharp curve.

                The barn swallows are waiting, standing on the picnic table, watching out the driveway.

Fak is in his crack, waiting for the familiar fall of red hair, the smiling face that means Phoebe is home! 

The indigo bunting watches from the post Daddy put up so many years ago. He sings to while the time away. 

Curtis waits breathlessly. Will she still remember me? 

Is she ready for cur kisses?

Your beautiful brother awaits his best friend and sister, rolled in one.

The house, scrubbed to within an inch of its life, is waiting, too, and the butterfly weed is at peak. 

Calling all fritillaries to gather around for the birthday girl!

 The flamingos were hung by the tractor with care, in hope that Young Phoebala soon would be there. Out on the lawn they'll go for your birthday dinner!

You've been so very far away, halfway 'round the world, in landscapes so strange, rugged and beautiful.

Visiting your true love, hoping to be together for good soon.

You've sent pictures home that made our hearts glad.

It's been one heck of a summer. Who has a summer like this? Only you! The rest of us are home, mowing our lawns, pulling weeds, and drinking lemonade.

Wherever you end up, I hope you're not too far from the sea.

You don't want to keep a mermaid, schooled in oceanography, from her element. 

Or, for that matter, a merman! May you be together for good, and soon!

I wish Oscar could come to your party. I'd tell him to bring a sixpack.

On second thought, we could use a case of that. He is a man of substance, soul, skill and kindness. 

And please bring the sweet pooch Arafo! We miss him too!

I love how you keep your heart just for him, locked away, safe

but ever open to the charge of nature, which always restores.

All this is to say I'm in awe of you, honey. The way you navigate your life is something to behold. The choices you make, the way your forge off on your own path. Your sense of place, and the way you fully inhabit a place, finding everything to love about it.

 I can't wait to see what your life's next chapters will hold. 

You do your dad proud with your logistical mind, and your drive to excel.

In work and life, always doing more than is called for 

makes doors fly open whenever you knock.

We're waiting for you, back on the farm

The beauty farm, the place where you became you

Beautiful, with-it, Apgar 10-scoring you.

Oh, what 25 years will do.

Now you're home, and you've checked in to the spa where all you have to do is eat, sleep, love, laugh, and drink it all in. It's been one heck of a journey from North Carolina to Atlanta to Boston to Lisbon to Tenerife to La Gomera and back. 

Happy birthday, sweet Phoebe. Love, Mai