Sunday, October 22, 2006

Sunday 22nd October, 2006

Running down the hall this morning, eyes closed, I remember realising my hand was completely numb.

Running?
My father was phoning to wish me a happy birthday.
It's not such a bad way to wake on a Sunday morning.

Dad is just back from Australia ... all of his children, except for my little sister, have made their homes in countries not their own. My brothers married Australians who took them back home. The fate of his children it seems ... he must have made something good ;)

He had lovely stories of sights seen and good people met, of grandchildren and daughters in law ... he sounded happy. He's seen everyone but for me now. I've been out of town for over 2 years.

Back home, he told me the rhubarb is ripe, the hens are giving 5 eggs a day and the potato shoots are up - which means there will be new potatoes for Christmas. Mmmmm, homesickness kicked in.

He asked how I would be spending the day and I laughed.
I said, 'Remember I was taking photographs at a wine and cheese evening the night before Gert and I married ...? Today I'm photographing a family in Brussels and I'm delighted to be doing it.'

He laughed.
I said, 'It's what I love doing.'

And it's true ... there's probably not much I love more than going out to meet up with new people to capture who they are with my camera ... it's the best way to spend the day that celebrates my ... birthday.

Tot ziens, writing the laughing one.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Di Mackey said...

Dank u well :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday and many happy returns!
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! :)

Your father's phone call and description reaffirms my vision of what New Zealand is like. Heavenly.

And if you have to work on your special day, I'm glad it'll be doing something you enjoy so much.

Di Mackey said...

Ahhh, I needed a family for my portfolio and this family very kindly agreed to pose for me :)

And dank u wel for your birthday greetings.

New Zealand ... oh yes.

Pam said...

Oooo! Happy Birthday! Let there be cake and perfect pictures!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Anonymous said...

A bit late but it is still sunday, so Happy Birthday!
Lut

awomynda said...

Happy birthday!!! Party party??

Di Mackey said...

Hey Pam, I'm delighted with the pictures and enjoyed cake with the family I photographed :)

Thank you Shashikiran, Mathieu, Lut and Amanda :)

No party ... we're hoping to organise something early November though, will let you know.

Anonymous said...

Oh Di, you're a woman with secrets! If we had known it was your birthday, we would have let the children go wild with a roll of streamers, finished the bottle of wine, and purchased the CHOCOLATE cake at the bake sale.

Blessings in your new year and in all your endeavors! Happy Birthday!

Di Mackey said...

Lol, thank you v-grrrl but really, I loved the day just as it was and your food was delicious!

And anyway, you had an incredibly busy day yesterday and I suspected you might just set children loose with streamers etc ... knowing that was enough and taking the photographs was simply icing on the cake :)

Erin said...

OOOOOOH!

Extend it a day, on me!!!

Hell, make it a Birthday Week, long as you're at it!!

Feliz cumpleaños!!!
Y MUCHOS más!!!

Di Mackey said...

A birthday week ... I'll inform Gert and relax accordingly lol.

Thank you for your birthday wishes Erin :)

Anonymous said...

Ehmm, I seem to be the last one wishing you a Happy Birthday ;-)

As you must have noticed, the weather gave you a really unusual break: Sunday 22 Oct was an almost perfect sunny day, with an Indian Summer-like 18°C (68-70°F)

Today Antwerp is soaking wet, chilly and very windy - all signs pointing to the end of an unusual 'extended summer'.

Sat Oct 28 marks the end of the European Dailight Saving Time, it will be dark at 5pm...

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday.

Di Mackey said...

Dank u wel Peter

It could be that you're out and living your life :)

I was at Het Elfde Gebod yesterday, enjoying that beautiful Monday we had ... I had biked into the city from home (6kms). Don't ask how I am today - it seems I used different muscles to those used for blogging. Anyway I kept an eye out for you strolling by but no sign this time.

Sssh, don't talk of the end of daylight saving yet ...