A Dove and some swans

Little Dove Erica turned two yesterday. Her little family "party" will be tonight. Wish I could be there! I've missed being there for so many of these months of her first two years. I'm very thankful for a special time when she was about five months old, and she and Amy and I had a wonderful visit in England. Back to the house in Christchurch where newborn Amy was brought home from the very old Victoria Hospital in Boscombe. Sitting at the table in the front window watching people pass below, on their way to the train station, or to the shops in town. Down the steps, out the door, onto Twynham Avenue, along Bargates, under the roundabout, down the High Street. Now Amy was the one behind the "push chair" and Dove the one riding. To walk the same streets again, enter the huge door of the Priory, watch Amy climb the mound of the castle ruins, ride the Noddy Train at Hengistbury Head in an English drizzle, walk along the Quay. And those swans. We sat on a bench as some huge swans wandered very near. One grabbed the pacifier Dove dropped! She wasn't afraid at all as one came quite close for a good look. We wondered what in the world was going through her little mind. A visit with "The Aunts" in Dorchester and an unexpected overnight stay, sleeping in Aunt Vigee's lovely nighties, going along to Watergate Cottage close by, that Eric loved to visit so much. (How he would have enjoyed doing it all with the little granddaughter he will meet one day in Heaven. ) The kindness of dear Mr. Harris, who looked after us so well. The adventure of a British Rail train ride ("Mind the Gap!"). One of those unstoppable bouts of laughter watching a lone commuter chuckling out loud at his newspaper. Another bout on the bus as the little old couple in front of us tried to retrieve their water bottle rolling around under the seat ("There it is, Jack!"). And will we ever forget the Indian lady who without speaking a word of English, couldn't get enough of holding and loving little Dove in Heathrow Airport. "Help the Aged." And our neighbors' send-off our last morning, in their bathrobes and slippers. Hugs and "tatas". Dove won't remember but Amy and I always will.