Family is not limited to those related by blood.  I understand that more deeply as the years pass.  The circle may be wide to include friends whose stories intersect our own.  Each child that is  born and welcomed into the family circle is a reminder of the generosity of heart and congeniality of spirit that is a hallmark of human social being.

These photos were taken at a birthday celebration a few days ago.  Nikki’s birthday was celebrated in splendid fashion by a pulled pork feast, potato salad, deviled eggs, creamy jello mousse, and other dishes that I cannot remember.  How can I forget Brandon’s bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp? No one will forget the whimsical, raspberry flavored birthday bundt cake.

Aunts and uncles and grandparents played with the kids.  A Kan-Jam frisbee game was set up on the lawn.  Myles claimed that he held the record of 13 direct hits into the slot a few hours later at parties end.

An orange nylon ribbon was stretched and winched tightly between two maple trees.  The taunt ribbon, two inches wide served as a tight rope challenge for

everyone from three years to forty three years.  Placed three feet above the ground I don’t think that anyone managed more than three steps before conceding to gravity with a jump to the ground.

Of course the fire pit was a source of interest and culinary delight.  Who doesn’t like roasting a marshmallow, and putting together a s’more?  As always, more than a few marshmallows caught flame.

Life is short.

I am reminded that Heraclitus, the one who gave philosophy it’s name, identified fire as the first principle of the universe.  Heraclitus is remembered as having said that the world is like a fire, kindled in due measure and extinguished in due measure.  So, let us celebrate one another, and friendship and kinship as we can.  By such tradition of coming together the expansive meaning of family, of our connection to one another is transmitted from one generation to the next.

Life is good.