Today would have been my mother's 80th birthday. She died this year in March, so this is her first birthday without her here. The day seems very important to me. I am so glad that other birthdays of younger children have come along to land on this date, as well. It is Emily, our little granddaughter's, half-brother's birthday. I sent a small gift for him. Michael's birthday and the joy he brings will replace the sadness my mother's birthday might bring to me. I am sure that I'm getting better with my cough, but it is the slowest of recuperations. And I ache in my back from coughing so much. Today I'll start cleaning the house, tidying things up in anticipation of the Turkey Day crowd that will arrive mid-week. It is looking as if I may have found a new maid service to clean. It's a good thing because my co-worker is going to have to have surgery, and I'll return to work full-time sometime in the spring. Praise God for the beautiful, sunshine that we have today. Sun Rocks!