happy birthdays

this picture was taken three years ago today
it may look like a regular family reunion, but it isn't
two significant birthdays were taking place that summer
mom's heath hadn't been the best
it had been awhile since all of the Bondurant kin had been together
so we decided to throw a big 80th birthday party for mom
the fact that we included Bill for his 60th was a surprise for him
it was a wonderful day
there are a lot of us included the picture
Bill and I are in the back row
Bill's siblings and their families
most of our children and their families 
his extended family-aunt, cousins and parts of their families

there have been some changes in three years
people have aged
more babies have been born 
and losing Bill eleven weeks later made me realize something:
every birthday we get to celebrate is significant