On the First Day of Spring, 41 years ago, one month late and all the fatter for it, to a woman born Susan Gordon and a man called Michael Lydon, {possibly conceived in London, England}, I was born in San Francisco's General Hospital.
Today I am having my very first ever birthday not on the North American continent.
I know it's spring here because flag stone sidewalks are strewn with cherry blossom petals. Tightly wrapped buds of reds and chestnut browns are exploding, quietly but with intent into delicate baby green leaves. I know it's Spring because I've been working with and nibbling rhubarb all week. I wake up to a bedroom filled with warm sun and I know it's spring because dusk has a pink tint instead of a blue one.
I know it's spring because when I look at the sky it feels like possibility and honey perfumes the still cool air of my 2 am walks home. Foxes are travel in pairs during London's surreal Violet Hour. I know it's spring because skirts replace scarves, jackets are folded neatly and put away. Bare arms make a comeback.
I know it's spring because Persephone has walked out of the darkness. Fishes turn into bulls.
Spring as change.
As upset.
Like a game of pick up sticks. Everything just so, gather it all up, toss in the air, keep hands still, watch it fall where it will, look at it anew.
Break it, put it back together.
Walk away, close eyes, open with new perspective.
Look away, look back, but not as close-- refocus eyes.
Think differently.
Love differently.
Change tastes, try something unliked again, turn it over, mash it up, get hands dirty.
Emancipate toes.
Reopen heart.
Have a new crush, flirt, take yourself on a date, dance before everyone else starts dancing, risk rejection, steal kisses, push someone up against a wall,
shout for the sake of shouting, play hide & seek, go on a treasure hunt. Wear something striped.
Spring is new. It's again but slightly different.
I hope something breaks for you today. I gift you with new perspective, possibility, chance taking and the adventure of life.
I'll close my eyes and wish for love, risk, faith, hope and health.
I'll conjure people gone and talk to those still here.
Happy First Day of Spring
~ I hope yours is gorgeous and delicious.
Many happy returns Spring baby!
Posted by: Amy Sherman | 20 March 2009 at 02:09 PM
What a great day to be born on. First day of Spring. Like a cherry blossom and a ray of sunshine right? Happy birthday Shuna!
Posted by: Aran | 20 March 2009 at 02:18 PM
I love the London foxes! This is a beautiful Spring birthday card for your friends and admirers. Happy birthday SFL. Your package is in the mail.
Posted by: Athen | 20 March 2009 at 02:28 PM
That sweet, sweet face. It is yours. I love it. I cherish it. Things are breaking open all over the place here. And I am too. I thank you for reminding me that breaking open is a good thing, change too. Breaking open is a bit messy, but apparently it's suppossed to be.
Posted by: Kelley G. | 20 March 2009 at 03:06 PM
happy happy day!
this time last year we were making fish tacos in dave's kitchen!!!
take yourself out and treat yourself to something silly and inappropriate!!! i'm sending a pic of cherry blossoms i picked in my yard last night.
(a birthday on a new continent brings a prosperous and delicious year to come....)
xoxoxoxoxoxoinfinity
Posted by: Melvis! | 20 March 2009 at 03:32 PM
happy birthday, dear Shuna. Wish we could give you a basket full of bergamots this year :)
Posted by: Anita / Married with dinner | 20 March 2009 at 03:37 PM
Happy Spring and Happy Birthday to you, Shuna.
I am loving hearing about your London adventures.
Your mom was so pretty. I know you miss her still ((gentle hugs)). And of course you were (and are) a cutie pie.
Posted by: Charlotte | 20 March 2009 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday! Glad spring is here for you. For some reason we have fog today, but I really cant complain!
Posted by: jennywenny | 20 March 2009 at 03:50 PM
Happy birthday! Spring seems to be taking a little longer to get the the Bay Area...hope it's not as late as you were!!
Posted by: Stuart | 20 March 2009 at 04:04 PM
Happy Birthday! All the images were beautiful.
Posted by: noble pig | 20 March 2009 at 04:08 PM
Shuna - a very happy birthday to you! Hope you have a lovely celebration!
Posted by: radish | 20 March 2009 at 04:14 PM
Well, happy, happy birthday.
Your pictures are precious.
The one of you and your mother takes my breath away.
The other one makes me smile.
And today it has been difficult to smile because New York is suffused with grief over the death of the beautiful Natasha Richardson and the pain of her dashing husband, lovely boys, and powerful mother.
I daresay London is the same.
But your birthday. Now THAT'S something to celebrate.
Posted by: Victoria | 20 March 2009 at 05:14 PM
Happy Birthday, and all the best on this First Day of Spring!
In a few minutes I will walk home from work dodging some rain drops and marvelling at how beautiful the ocean, the trees and the mountains are...
Cameron.
Posted by: Cameron S. | 20 March 2009 at 06:06 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: elkit | 20 March 2009 at 07:50 PM
Happy birthday dear Shuna,
hope your wishes come true.
elena
Posted by: elena geangu | 20 March 2009 at 08:35 PM
Shuna - loved the post and the photographs are absolutely beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, looking forward to seeing you very soon. kxx
Posted by: keiko | 20 March 2009 at 08:39 PM
Happy birthday Shuna!!
Posted by: Autumn | 20 March 2009 at 09:10 PM
Happy, happy birthday, Shuna! How lovely to be born on the first day of Spring.
Posted by: Sharon | 20 March 2009 at 11:08 PM
Happy birthday Shunebug.
I got a pastry chef job! I started on Monday (hired Sunday night the day we last spoke.)
It's an American restaurant so I'm making apple pie everyday, layer cakes, and crisps.
It's easy and fun and I'm using a lot of your recipes from this site.
Posted by: Rebecca Stevens | 21 March 2009 at 12:59 AM
Wish you a great year....may you accomplish all your economic, emotional and health goals...
Posted by: Malini | 21 March 2009 at 03:59 AM
Happy birthday, shuna!!!
Posted by: Valisa | 21 March 2009 at 07:52 AM
Happy belated birthday, Shuna! You share a birthday with two of my close friends who share your creativity/intelligence. Spring is my favorite season, so I love this is post.
Posted by: Saffoula in Seattle | 21 March 2009 at 12:48 PM
What a wonderful day for a birthday! Happy Birthday! It sounds like you're out of the gate and hurtling toward some delightful days ahead.
Posted by: katrina | 21 March 2009 at 02:15 PM
Love the pictures, especially the second one. So cute! Hope you had a great day.
Posted by: Kalyn | 21 March 2009 at 11:41 PM
A very happy birthday to you!
Posted by: Laurie Gauguin | 22 March 2009 at 11:42 AM
happy birhtday!
it was my sister's as well
Posted by: foodie at fifteen | 22 March 2009 at 08:33 PM
I hope you had a wonderful birthday! Thank you for your posts and the lovely pictures that you share with us. I hope that this year brings you much joy and happiness.
Posted by: Vivian Boroff | 23 March 2009 at 09:33 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!:)
Posted by: Ulla | 23 March 2009 at 01:45 PM
Happy belated Birthday Shuna! I hope it was full of smiles!
Posted by: Lee | 23 March 2009 at 03:37 PM