Senses-full.

Last weekend the family converged from East to West here in Michigan. They came to watch the youngest member of the family receive his junior black belt in Tae Kwon Do. It honored me to see how proud the older siblings were of their brother's accomplishment. Four years of classes two times a week finally culminated with a large party in the backyard. The new patio was christened with spilled lemonade, crushed tortilla chips and the sound of Beatles Rock Band, being played by skillful young hands in the far corner. Our friends from all over the state came to celebrate with us and hang out in the space that Joe so beautifully created. Anytown U.S.A. overlooked the festivities, it's screen door flapping as young cousins dashed in out enjoying this fifties version of a playhouse. Grandma sat in the center of the yard, cane propped against her lawn chair, spooning spicy beans into Laney Pearl's eager mouth. The smell of grilled fish and chicken filled the air, as cupcakes smothered in delicious frosting decorated with black belts circulated around the yard offered up on newly painted trays by kind neighbors. The sense of community was extraordinary; people chatted, filled their glasses and ate together. High school classmates who'd not seen each other in twenty years reconnected in what was dubbed "the magical backyard".

I think it was one of the best parties, ever.