Yes, I've got two Scorpio boys, their birthdays only two days apart. Today's post is all about my SON the Artist, Liam, who turns 28 today!
It's Liam's absolute favorite season, when he can slish through red and golden fallen leaves with a cup of something hot in his hand, when he can finally snuggle in one of his dozens of hoodies or sweaters and not be courting a thermal emergency. Oh, and there are pumpkins.
One could gift Liam with clothing or shoes or electronics, but the fastest way to his heart is through his nose and taste buds. He is a delightfully easy person to please, taking great pleasure in the smallest things. That said, those small things need to be exceptionally good. Miller's Chicken in Athens qualifies!
When I was thinking about Liam's 28th birthday roaring up, I knew I didn't want to give him a thing; I wanted to give him an experience. So, unbeknownst to him, Phoebe and I dreamed up a dream trip: flying him nonstop from Columbus to Seattle to see Phoebe and Óscar in their new home! Ayla set about checking Liam's work schedule and wheedling him the time off to do it. So sweet. Most excellent work, Ayla!
Phoebe handled all the booking and logistics. Classic, Bold, Bright work, Phoebs!
Me: Mommy Warbucks. It took some doing, but he finally got four days off in a row that coincided with Phoebe's time off, and we sprang it on him where he was going to go in mid-October. Man, was he excited. Had he known what awaited, he would have been even more stoked!
The time rushed up, and before long he was on a jet, racing toward Seattle. Phoebe and I followed his flight on Flightaware, then kept tabs on him with Find my Fiends, as we call it. FUN!
Pinching the Space Needle (or a lesser building, we're not sure.)
I'm so proud of Phoebe for orchestrating the perfect adventure for her brother. A hike in the mountains was mandatory. Can't you just smell the firs?
The love between these two fills my heart.
Being among ancients has to make a person feel very small and very young.
Nothing to fear with Óscar along!
I just can't even imagine being in a landscape like this, as I've been in the old Appalachian foothills for far too long. But I hope to get there!
A few days ago, I asked him for his impressions of the Seattle area. "Have you ever been?" he asked.
"No, I haven't, but I can't wait to go!"
"Well, first, it's so much more beautiful than you could even imagine."
Looking at his photos, I can definitely see that. When you've got Phoebe as a tour guide, you're going to see the best of a place.
They took a ferry to Bainbridge Island for sightseeing and a seafood dinner.
They tasted different whiskies in a Scottish bar. (Bleccch!)
But Liam loved it, of course, especially with Óscar to compare notes with. He has a very refined sense of taste and smell and that is his jam!
There were beergardens, too. Seattle looks like a mighty fine place.
Talking on the phone just now, Liam said something that cracked me up. I'd asked him how the coffee was in Seattle. And received a detailed answer, with the general consensus that it was weaker than he prefers, and just not quite what he as anticipating. "I'm a coffee snob, truly," he commented.
And then he said that on the way to the airport he stopped for one last coffee. And he needed it to be The Coffee. One last chance. He ordered it, and it came back good, but not surpassingly so. And I asked, "So what did you order?"
"The Birthday Cake latte."
I don't know why this hit my funny bone so hard, but I just cackled. WHO orders a Birthday Cake latte expecting a transcendent coffee experience? That would be Liam. Ever optimistic. Unbound by convention. He needs another whack at Seattle's coffee scene. I'm sure it's just a matter of hitting the right place.
Sweet Liam, I'm so proud of you for finding your way in the big-hearted city. You know I'm here, always--just pick up the phone.
You are simply the sweetest, funniest, brightest, kindest star, and your mama loves you to the moon and back.
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