Knowing you this birthday will be the best birthday yet. You always seem to be surrounded with amazing friends-especially blog friends!
You have survived a heart-breaking year (again, the more candles on our cake the more losses our heart endures)-- BEAUTIFUL trees, yes, they say, "hope" is real.
A birthday? That usually means a party. With yummy things to eat. And a cake. With candles (and a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case!). And more of Van's beautiful flower arrangements. Have a happy day Naomi. I'll be singing the Happy Birthday song when I roll out of bed on the 27th!
We just came back from a week in Memphis where my daughter moved. She misses Long Beach for sure but has a nice place near the river. I am delaying writing a new post so I can read my friends’ posts. Your tribute to Gordon was so sweet – he certainly was a wonderful man and brother – I wish I had had a brother like him. I know it is hard to rejoice for your birthday when you feel so sad, but you still need to celebrate all what you have accomplished – and you have dear friend. Happy birthday and know that all your friends care deeply about you.
Beautiful pictures!
Despite recent events, I do hope you get to celebrate and enjoy your birthday! In case I miss it... "Penblwydd Hapus!" from across the pond here in Wales! :)
Interesting that I should see this today, the sermon in church this morning was all about Hope. Hope is what keeps us going. What helps us to carry on when life keeps knocking us down. You've had more than your fair share of knocks recently. My thought and prayers are with you.
I'm hoping that you'll find joy in celebrating another birthday. Celebrate your life, and that you are still here spreading your joy and wonderful personality for all of us to enjoy.
The vibrancy of those trees does inspire hope. Hugs to you, now, and on your birthday. Know that you are loved and held dear by so many.
Great photos Naomi. Hope is a wonderfl thing. We must keep our hopes alive. You are the same age as a dear friend of mine..or you will be in a few days! I do hope your birthday is a happy one and you get to have some friends over to help you celebrate. You need some cheer in your life now.
Thinking of you with love and hugs!!!
May your day be blessed with many flowers.
What are gardens if they are not about hope?
I shall raise a glass on the 27th and be with you in spirit - no pun intended:)
Keep the flame of hope alive Naomi. We can't live without it.
I love those trees - are they jacaranda?
Those trees are gorgeous! And happy birthday on Wednesday - I will think of you and hope you are having a wonderful day.
Yikes, I am late to your birthday. I do hope it was a grand one. This past year has been a tough one for you Naomi and I HOPE that the coming year is much kinder to your heart.
Awesome trees. So beautiful.
WOW! What a lovely tree! Happy Birthday, when it comes. You're catching my Dad up. He's 83.
81 going on timeless
those trees are incredibly beautiful, just like you
Are the Jacaranda trees in bloom?! In time for your birthday? Our native rhododendrons that line the Blue Ridge Parkway are blooming now.
Oh good, I am so glad I am not late. My mental calendar is so out of whack with the company I've had. Will be thinking of you on the 27th and sending hugs.
ahhh but a kid at heart!
are you going to have a "ladies that lunch " for your birthday???
I hope you have a happy day Naomi!
Oh Naomi, your strength and zest for life seems like an 18-year-old and I wish you a great Birthday. YOu have been an inspiration to me and I wish you best of health and happiness always.
Happy Birthday Naomi, with lots of hugs :D
What beautifully colored trees. They whisper peace.
I'm hoping you find some joy in your heart to celebrate your day with good food, films and friends. There's still much to be thankful for although I know you are going through a difficult time. I am thinking of you, my friend, and hoping tomorrow gets a little easier.
Love the pictures, beautiful trees and so much sunshine!! they sure send a message of hope.
Hope you have beautiful plans for your birthday.
The beauty and vibrancy of those gorgeous jacaranda trees really inspire and transmit a message of hopefulness, "esperança" in Portuguese.
I hope you celebrate your day with pleasant moments surrounded by good friends. Happy Birthday and lots of hugs, my dear friend!
Thinking of you my sweet friend.
...know that you are loved and admired by many many people. I am one of your biggest fans
hey. love the beautiful purple on those trees.. they brighten up how i am feeling right now. i would visit more often but i dont get an update on your blog for some reason. so every few weeks i pop in.. Hope all is well. i know you miss your brother. and that will take time to heal... but all we can do is keep chugging along. i need to go get ready where i can go to an interview at 1:00 today. hopefully something will come abouts for me.
The pictures of that tree is absolutely spectacular! Happy 81st birthday to you, Naomi :-) I just had celebrated my double nickel on 6/22...we share a horoscope sign :-)
The 27th -- that's tomorrow, isn't it? Oh, Naomi, I know this will be challenging birthday, given all the sadness in your life recently, but I also hope it will be a happy one. One filled with hope and yes, with health. I so hope I get to celebrate 81 and be as lively and engaged as you are! Your posts always make me smile, and I'm always so grateful you share both the hard and the fun. Happy Birthday, my friend.
Well, what do you know - I read your blog today to see it is actually your birthday! 81. No way. Can't believe a year has passed since your big 80th!
Happy Birthday Naomi. (((hugs)))
Happy Birthday Naomi. Now I am betting your big brother would have wanted you to celebrate. It will be hard I am sure but I hope you have a party and enjoy the time with your friends. I would ring you if I knew your number. Love you as all your blogging friends do. You mean a lot to us all. Xxxx
Dear Naomi, I do hope that you can have a good birthday, despite the painful events recently. Please try to have a HAPPY ONE!!
P.S. Those trees are spectacular. Are they jacarandas?
I stumbled upon your blog purely by accident last night, and have been enchanted by the wonderful stories of your full, rich life.
I'm so very sorry about the loss of your brother. Please know that you are touching so many lives with your blog, and please continue to post.
Oh! I'm here just in time to wish you a happy birthday!!! Happy happy birthday to you. :) xo
Naomi 81?
Well, son of a gun!
Nobody would have guessed
because she's been blessed
with good looks, a youthful spirit and talent!
On her birthday today
All the flowers and little creatures she loves so will come out to play and shout with a resounding voice
Hey hey hey! Nay-o!
Happy Birthday!!!!!
the fat lady
belated it may be, but am hoping the many caring sentiments this little happy birthday note brings are not dimmed by that - in any event, thinking of you during this time - and wishing you all your wishes come true! hugs - j
ps - what magnificent trees! and the color, superb! oh, my middle daughter's birthday was the 24th -
;)
Happy belated Birthday, Naomi!!!
I have returned from my very first trip abroad! Italy! Amazing. Not one glitch! Double Amazing!!!
Our jackarandas have stopped blooming for the year, but yours look spectacular!
I envy you being in the hills. It is flippin' HOT here!
81! I do hope I get to see 81. It's a nice age. So is 90. Keep blogging.
Love you,
Stan
XOXO
Naomi, I may have sent a double note. I was off-line for so long I needed a new password!
Stan
I haven't checked in for while, but always wish you a Happy Birthday. Love your celebrations. I am so sorry to hear about your brother. You two look so much alike. I know you will miss him. I lost my brother when he was 16 and that was 35 years ago. Wish I could hear his voice now. Hugs to you!
Happy Birthday dear, beautiful Naomi! You are such an amazing person & you enlighten every single life that is fortunate enough to cross paths with you. Even though we haven't talked in years, you've been an inspiration in my life.
Bless you, dear friend
Jane
Very Happy Birthday wishes!
E+J x
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Birthday dear Naomi!!!!
hugs
Monique aka Holland
There is no such thing as manipulation when it comes to hope because hope can not be bought with money.
It is something which exists because of faith in the unknown and because of love.
Happy Birthday.
Happy birthday and I hope times will be looking up for you this year.
Despite the sadness going on, I hope you got to celebrate your birthday with your ladies and let some heartache lift.
Beautiful!!!!! And although I'm late to the party, my wishes are sincere and full of love!!!! May this year bring you much joy!!!!
Hope your birthday was as happy as was possible under the circumstances.
Name: OldOldLady Of The Hills
Location: Los Angeles, California