Happy Birthday, Byrne
- A long ago toast
It must be a sign I’m spending too much time writing in what used to be Byrne and Duncan’s bedroom. (And, for a brief time, Byrne’s and mine.) This week I’ve thought of her every day.
On Monday, when I picked the first Meyer lemon from the lemon tree Gary planted a year ago. Tart, brilliant and somehow exotic – the fruit itself reminds me of her. And I smiled in the certainty that she, who planted so many beautiful things around this house, would love the luscious new resident.
On Tuesday, I wanted nothing more than to hear how she would spin a double dose of disappointing news that kicked me in the shins. She would have restored my confidence, somehow. She always did.
On Wednesday, when I took out all my irritation on a bike ride and a silly Zumba class, I laughed at myself – on her behalf. Ages ago I danced, under her proud eyes, at a Byrne Miller Dance Theatre master class. Now I am one of a group of grown women, all three counts off a frantic beat, trying to liquefy our hips to music Byrne would have disqualified as such.
And then today arrived and my swirling collisions with the spirit of the woman I still miss settled into a reason. She was born on this day in 1909, one hundred and two years ago. She just wanted me to remember.
"TeresaBruceBooks" 
November 3, 2011 at 10:42 AM
A toast to Byrne and a toast to you, Teresa, for Byrning this tart, brilliant, exotic woman into the hearts of those who know her through you. It is, I might add, a s’wonderful way to know her!
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November 3, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Happy Birthday Byrne! Happy Birthday (a few days late) to you, too, Teresa! I hope your shins heal fast and that lots of wonderful things arrive in your world soon. Suzanne
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November 3, 2011 at 9:09 PM
I KNEW there was something special about today..besides the fact that I woke up in Atlanta in a high-rise where I couldn’t see the sunrise much less the stars..A toast to Byrne..and some words from my favorite writer, Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “perhaps we never appreciate the here and now until it is challenged….when we start at the center of ourselves, we discover something worthwhile extending beyond the circle..we find again some joy in the now..some of the peace in the here, some of the love in me and thee which make up the kingdom of heaven on earth. Happy Birthday Byr
Birthday Byrne
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