Weeping May Endure for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning: Remembering 9/11 and 23 Years of Life

Badger turned 23 today.
We never really celebrate birthdays, and with Badger’s autism, even if we were the big party kind of people, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.

This was just a regular day, and I hate that, but again, well, we are what we are.

Badger cooked her own dinner; she says I can’t cook.
Then she took a wild hair and cleaned the house. 
She caught up on laundry.

In a week or two, we’re waiting for Pigeon Forge to calm down.
We do have plans for a late celebration.
She and Cowboy are going to explore a cave. 
Then we’ll eat out at Mel’s Diner.

I did mess up big time.
I forgot that I promised her we’d get a pizza and have a movie.
I should’ve left myself a note.
She didn’t bother to tell me until after 7 p.m., while we were taking our evening walk.
It wasn’t that late, so once we got home, I ordered our pizza and she found a movie.

It’s just not easy to remember adult kids’ birthdays, or maybe that’s just my wacky brain.
And no, I actually knew it was her birthday.
Good grief, a birthday today? 
A 23rd birthday on the 24th anniversary of 9/11?
Oh yeah, she made sure we remembered it.
I just forgot I’d promised a pizza.

A storm blew in. I wasn’t aware they were forecasting anything for this evening.
It wasn’t bad and passed quickly.

10:30 p.m. found us outside, walking up the street to chase down a patch of fog.
Badger got distracted by a giant, bright yellow moon.
So we stood outside for a bit while she took pictures.

I’m getting off here.
 Cowboy wants to go to Lowe’s tomorrow but won’t say why.
While we’re there, I’ll pick up more paint so Badger can finish her cow windmill.