Hi everyone,

I am back from my 8 day retreat and it was truly a wondrous time.  While I was away I celebrated my birthday alone... a first for me but significant in this sabbatical year.

When I arrived home my family here at Centre Street celebrated the worst kept secret...a party to celebrate me.  In the morning, Mary Anne came to me and said "Jeff, I like you, you're my friend and we're having a party for you tonight!"  Carmen in the background is saying "Shhhhh! Mary Anne!"  Kara spoke of long skinny balloons and I joined the fun by saying "it's a secret so don't tell anyone" to which they all joined in..."it's a secret".

Well, while driving the gang to work, I went to the big house to do some business for the house and everywhere I was greeted with "happy birthday" and we're glad you're back...how was the retreat. I was the news of the day...everyone knew it was my birthday celebration, but it was more the sense of how I was appreciated. Well the drive home and I was banished until supper time down stairs and then I came up to join the gang nd be surprised. 

Well of course...they were like "Surprise, it's your birthday party.  I sat on the couch signing Christmas cards and Mary Anne cuddle in close and rubbed my back sayng how much she liked me and hapy birthday my friend.  I teased her that my back would catch fire if she kept rubbing my back.  She laughed.

Super was a wonderful meal and loving banter.  It was our Tuesday night supper gang and so Toni Urbanski who is my mentor here joined us as well as Alan Dobb who is in charge of maintenance for Daybreak.  I was given two beautiful gifts of a hand made plate by Tom  and a wonderful angel candle by Kara.  The most touching gift was the prayer around table after the meal. Around the table we prayed in thanksgiving.  Words flowed from everyone of their gratitude for my presence in the house and the community.  Touching was the words of Mike Ricci who spoke of how he was appreciative of the time we spend for coffee and meals out.  I was in tears throughout.  Unless you know what Mike lives and how he has progressed, you would never know how significant this prayer was.

And so birthdays are a chance to speak of love and community and friendship.  There is a deep love and sense of celebration in these moments with the L'arche community.  I have been told of how this is one of the most powerful experiences to live here...last night touched me to the core and back.

I will share more photos over the coming days and more stories.  Thank you for the many cards and emails that were sent over the past week.  Until next time.

Jeff