Milestones

About mid-August, HWMBO and I journeyed to Maryland's Eastern Shore to help celebrate a major milestone achieved by one of our friends, "Big Sister" to our wonderful friend "Intrepid Woman."  The milestone in question was Big Sis's 90th birthday.

The actual birth date for Big Sis had occurred in July, but the celebration for her 90th was deferred to August for various reasons.  HWMBO and I were most delighted to be invited.  We had met Big Sis, along with Intrepid Woman's Littlest Sis, while visiting Majorca in 1999 during their mini-family reunion to commemorate Littlest Sis's retirement from teaching full-time.

None of us could believe how quickly the time had passed since then.  Of course, not a one of us looked a day older!  But some of us, notably myself, have put on a few more pounds since that time.  Well, quite a few more, if the truth be told ....  

The weather for the celebration that day was glorious, warm but less humid than most of the Maryland summer days before or since.  HWMBO and I had quite a pleasant drive to the Eastern Shore and made our way quite enjoyably to the town where the celebration was being held.   I must admit that I was so comfortable that I even dozed for part of the way, especially before crossing the Bay Bridge.  This growing older seems to bring that on more frequently so it was fortunate that I was not on driving duty at the time.

The celebration was held in an outdoor pavillion, so there was shade and just enough of a breeze to keep everyone comfortable.  There were quite a few of us in attendance, primarily family members and close friends who had known the family and grown up with the "girls."  There was a picture board containing pictures of Big Sis as a girl

and as a younger woman, living in the Yukon, and raising a family there when the area was still practically a pioneer area.

Her birthday cake reflected the Yukon heritage.

The family is now grown and Big Sis is now a great-grandmother several times over.  Here she poses with some of her children.

And here is another perspective.

And here she poses with Intrepid Woman and Littlest Sis.  Like Intrepid Woman, Big Sis actively assisted abroad with Allied War efforts during World War II.

A third sister, just younger than Intrepid Woman and who is no longer with us, was the third part of this amazing triumvirate.  Littlest Sis was much too young to be included in war efforts abroad.  But, like the other amazing women in her family, she continues to carry the torch.

We were indeed privileged to participate in and share this momentous occasion.  These woman have served as inspirations to me and to others who have known them.  Long may such milestones continue to be achieved!