A diamond

Although I didn't get to celebrate my MIL's 75th with her this weekend, I got to celebrate SD's diamond birthday with a houseful of her family and friends. SD is my lovely, and probably my first American friend, who has seen me through widowhood, single parenthood, and so much more, saving me over and over again. 

We disagree about some things right now, but she'll listen to my rant and heartbreak, and she always ends every conversation by reminding me that she loves me.

The party was huge, and I took a breath before I dove in. I know SD's kids and some of her friends but there were so many people there... but then no one can ever stay a stranger in a Jewish home, in my experience. It was the best time, and I got dropped back to my hotel well after midnight.

Pic: SD's son, who works at the Kennedy Center, made an animated video about her life that I loved. The likeness was remarkable. For comparison, SD is the one in the gold sari next to me in this photo.