where to begin..

alright, this being my now, i guess i will just dive right in.
unsure where to begin, i decided to start with my last birthday...
so i am back-tracking ever so slightly..
this day as always was made so special by my family!
i had recently heard of the Elk herd that was introduced on the Buffalo River, ever so excited to check it out, it had been decided, this was how we would spend "my day".
we awoke early as it was a two to three hour drive, those that know us best, know we, the mason family struggle with early..
the plan was my mother would meet us, we had packed a lunch, we were off!! only three and half hours later, we did, of course, get lost, i being to eager turned onto the "wrong" hwy 16. we amazingly, met my mother at the junction where the two highways meet in Boxley Valley. there at that moment in the exact spot were vehicle's pulled over to side, people rushing with camera's to capture the exquisite Elk! our timing perfect! we relished in the beauty around us, the grumbling of our stomach's reminding us of lunch. we ate, complete with birthday cake and wishes made to come true. our afternoon hike alongside the rambling creek up to the waterfalls was complete with the comfortable silence one shares with loved ones. the laughter and delight of the afternoon left only for the forest and my heart.
our drive home as tired as we all were, could only be described as contentment. a day to celebrate life, not just mine, but for all of us......