The Ups and the Downs…

As far as birthdays go… today has been an interesting one.

I visited my dear friend in hospital this morning, and although she was as low as could be, she had written me the following card:

“My dearest friend Fiona,

I’m almost lost for words at this time to express how much I love you and value our friendship and everything you are doing for me.  Know that, whatever happens, I will always be there for you when you need me, the way you have for me.

We are very lucky to have each other.

Have a wonderful year, full of exciting new opportunities.  You are very talented, vivacious, intelligent, creative and determined, so I know you will succeed in your next venture.  And, as you do, it’s something we can all enjoy.

Thank you for being you.

Love, ____”

The tears flowed.  I couldn’t help it.  Neither could she.  All stuff that she couldn’t say, but was somehow, miraculously, able to write down.

I then raced home to catch up with my dear friend Jenni who shares my birthday.

We went to the local Beer Garden and spoiled ourselves with some Verve Cliquot and a yummy lunch.

Before racing home to be there when my boys arrived.home.with.flowers!!   Lovely lovely flowers that they chose themselves!  To go with the beautiful cards that they gave me this morning.  And to join flowers given to me already by Jenni and Ewan, to ensure that our flat is filled with the most beautiful blooms!

I’m very lucky.

And then the mail arrived.

Containing a letter from my lawyer.  The first one in a while.

Opening line… “Your (parenting) case is now going to a trial before a judge.”

Well Happy Birthday To Me.

Our interim parenting orders stated that they were to be re-addressed in MEDIATION in December.  But now DH has decided (probably because he had so much luck with a judge in the financial matter) to bypass that and go immediately before a judge.

(insert the smell and sound of $1000 bills burning here)

So, dear Internetz, here we go again….