You know those birthday cards for kids: Someone Fun Is Turning One! And then they have this kind of half-cute, half-scary puppy dog/teddy bear/bunny mutant holding a big number 1 on the front?
Yeah, well mine is better.
Today is the day that we celebrate the 35th anniversary of when the lovely, amazing, beautiful, talented, intelligent, wonderful, incredibly kind, and very righteous saradraws, of Laments and Lullabies, made her debut into this world.
And with this picture, I fell in love with her.
I only met Sara fairly recently, and “only” online, so all I can do is wish and wonder what if we had met years ago. Which, I don’t do what ifs, so this part is necessarily short-lived. But basing it on what I have come to know in her, I think it would have been some pretty good times for both of us. Though ultimately I suspect I would have come off better in the past, as she could have bought me alcohol (for a little while, anyway).
Honestly, I just feel so incredibly blessed that I know her now, and proud that I can call her my friend. I can call you my friend, right Sara? I thought so.
So, about Sara. There is so much good material, but where to start is very easy for me. It is her compassion, her concern, her reaching out to support me, and answering a random email early in our acquaintance even though she only had ten minutes left on the library computer. Yes, I remember that. I always will.
She’s funny as hell. She thinks of the things I want to say, and makes me burst out with laughter by putting her own special twist on them.
She is such a wonderful, concerned, educated, and most importantly, loving parent. I haven’t ever watched her in action, but that is something I know not only from conversations, comments, and pics, but I can just feel. And having been a nanny in another incarnation, I am professionally qualified to make these assessments (I’d show you my credentials, but they both have school in the morning).
And she disarms you. She has this sixth sense for cottoning on to when you need someone most, and suddenly you realize that she was exactly that person you didn’t know you needed.
She is woman, in the most complete sense of what it should be, possibly more than anyone else I have ever known (myself very much included)
There is so much that is obvious that I haven’t touched upon. I dunno, to me it’s a bit like gilding the lily to talk about her amazing talent with words and with pen/pencil/paint/fancy computer stuff. . . I know nothing about how she does what she does with art (it’s magic!), but I know what makes it so special. It’s Sara coming through. The same as when she writes, whether it’s something that makes me laugh or something that makes me rethink my worldviews. Sometimes both, which is something, let me tell you.
She is beautiful, inside and out. Breathtaking. Also, I am in awe of her hair.
I missed things, wonderful amazing things, because how do you sum up the essence of a person in one short post? But wait. I did leave something very important out. She is brave.
Sara, you are so brave, so very strong, in a way that few people will ever know. Quite possibly you don’t even realize it. But you are fighting dragons most people can’t even imagine. And yet you don’t have the luxury to imagine them, you know them intimately and you stand and face them. And you will win. I have every faith in the world that you will win. And ask anyone who knows me, my faith has yet to be misplaced. And I am honoured (with a “u”) to fight those dragons with you, when I can.
Many happy returns of this day to you.
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anais Nin
I hadn’t time to draw you a new party hat, so you shall have to make due with one from the Canvas celebrations. It’s only slightly used. :)
And remember, it’s Sara, sans “h”. Don’t use the “h”, I hear it’s quite fatal.
© Ruby Tuesday and I Was Just Thinking. . . 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ruby Tuesday and I Was Just Thinking. . . with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. This work is protected under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Aw, you’ve totally outdone me and already said all the things about Sara that I would have said. Well, different words, same sentiment, anyway. But I wholeheartedly agree: Sara is awesome.
I made sure to write this the night before and not read any other Sara posts. But it’s all good, she knows how much you love her! And yes. Yes she is.
Reblogged this on A Clown On Fire and commented:
One has to share all the love that is floating around on the blogosphere for the Ringmistress…
It’s a day of love. Good job.
I’m kind of weepy and speechless. You made my guffaw through my tears, and I like that. A complex multitude of feelings is my runner’s high, without running (thank the sweet white baby Jesus). There was a time when I’d be convinced that your love is misplaced, but it’s with people like you that I’m finding my light (in combination with an assload of therapy and drugs, but this blogging shiz is freer and funner and I can say inappropriate things to you without getting sued…so far).
You are a wordsmith and a radiant soul. I am honoured and most humbled to know you and call you friend. xoxo
Can your therapist sue you? I thought they could only do that if you didn’t pay.
In any case, I am glad that you enjoyed this, and I’m even so-much-more-glad-er-er that you are beginning to realize how completely fucking incredible you are. Because you are. Your light shines beautifully and brilliantly and greenly (don’t ask questions about that last part, just trust that it’s a compliment); and those who know you are so lucky to get to bathe in its glow.
Thank you for your sweet words, they mean so much to me. You mean so much to me. You are a star, dear Sara. Take your place among the heavens and shine bright.
A lovely reminder…xoM
It’s important that we remember to celebrate people and tell them how very much we love them.
That is an awesome post. It’s funny how we met people in the blogosphere and find they know us very quickly and better than some of the people right by our sides. Lovely post for a lovely woman, from a lovely woman. Jen xx
And a lovely and insightful comment from another lovely woman. It is so wonderful the community of kindness that exists, that allows people to be open and honest and gives us a chance to show each other such support.
I feel very lucky – I’m finding it all really helpful to see my life as it really is and to make the changes I need to in order to move forward.
You have such a fantastic attitude. I like you.
Reblogged this on Laments and Lullabies and commented:
Jive is the new awesome. This post made me openly weep. She’s that good.
Happy Birthday Sara and may you have all the love and joys in the world xx
A toast to Sara!
Cheers x
Aww, this is lovely, my lovely. Happy Birthday Sara! If I have to say it everywhere on WordPress today, I will. Because I want you to know that I know how special this day should be for you!
You’re such a sweetie, Lulu.
Nah. I just have a candy coated shell!
Surrounding a squishy, melty center.
LOL, nah. The squishiness is literally on top of the shell. Like marshmallows.
It’s been a while for me, admittedly, but have they changed marshmallows? Because last I checked, they were pretty much one big squish.
LOL, no I was talking about my body type. I’m a little squishy right now. Blah!
Happens to the best of us.
Tomorrow. Tang Soo Do. 3:30. Nipping it in the bud.
Noooo idea what you’re talking about.
Martial arts. Chuck Norris style.
Uh-huh. I’m just happy with my gloves, my bag (well, the bag so generously made available to me), and some Social D.
“She is woman, in the most complete sense of what it should be”
Best. Description. Ever.
Thank. You. Jen. Very, very much. It felt completely Sara to me.
Damn it…Sara is perfect. It makes women like me look even worse!…Kidding! Thrilled you two have found each other! It reaffirms the positive energy in the world! Enjoy!
She is so wonderful, and I am lucky to have her in my life. And I love what you said about positive energy. You’ve clearly got a fantastic understanding of it.
What a lovely thing to do for someone on her birthday. From the short time I’ve known her, I’m not surprised you’ve said these things here. Sara is inspiring. Happy Birthday, Sara.
She is pretty amazing, and deserves anything I could do to show her how much I value her. And you said it. Inspiring is the perfect word!
What a beautiful post! Wow. Now I’m going to have to post my birthday somewhere. Wink, wink. Seriously, that was great. I must visit Sara’s site some more. I’ve been on her clown husband’s enough.
LOL, he is a big clown! Sara is a sweet soul, much like you, and she has an awesome blog, much like you. I think you two might get along. And you could totally drop mention of your birthday somewhere. . . Just sayin’
Lol. Yes I’ve looked around her blog some. Oh, and it’s June 29th. When is yours?
Sometime between January and December. I can’t quite remember.
Thought I would stalk you today Sara….Happy Birthday!!
I’m glad your Sara stalkings brought you my way. She’s absolutely worth the trouble, but you obviously know that already!
Yes she is Ruby. Going to follow you for a bit as well. Say cheese.
Brie!
And thanks!
Wow, this is really generous. I think you’re wonderful, and & would reckon you’ve made Sara’s birthday
I saw this reflagged on Clown, in case you’re curious…
Noeleen
Thanks for your kind words, Noeleen. Sara is a sweet soul, as is her husband – who is Le Clown, though I appreciate the heads up.
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