The Journey Inward

Sweet baby girl,
youngest of the great nieces and nephews,
turned one last week,
and we gathered to celebrate at my niece's house,
with food, decorations, baby pool, 
friends and family this weekend.

Sweet baby girl,
beloved by us all, was the star of the show,
watching her brother and cousin run and play,
getting handed from one set of open arms to another,
kissing her grandpa on a Facetime call,
breaking our hearts with their physical distance.

Sweet baby girl,
had her first taste of cake,
chocolate with chocolate filling and chocolate icing,
and she put fistfuls into her mouth,
exhausted, but happy,
watching us all sing Happy Birthday to her,
unsure what that was all about.

Sweet baby girl,
the latest in the line,
of a loving, caring, gathering, celebrating family,
who adore her and support her,
who will always be there for her,
and who value the importance of family.


Photos:  Springfield, VA.  7.12.25 by GH and RH.