It was Abraham Lincoln to whom we can attribute the words above, and they are inscribed on the front of the card I gave to Richard for his birthday on Saturday.
One of the things that so attracted me to Richard when we were first getting to know each other, was his approach to life – how I felt he was very much “living” it rather than just going through the motions. I believe this is one of the reasons why people are often surprised when they find out how “old” Richard actually is. His energy, vigour and enthusiasm for life, belie those commonly held conceptions about ageing and how one is supposed to be at a certain age.
Not long after we began our relationship, we went to listen to the author Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones, which we had both read and enjoyed. I bought Richard a copy of the book and asked Alice Sebold to sign it. With no prompting from me she wrote “Viva!” – live! We chose the name for our first born within weeks of finding out I was pregnant. Whilst we love that Olive is not only a botanical name, but also a symbol of peace…we also love that in it lies viva, vivre, leven, vivere, ora…however you choose to say it – live!
So here’s to living and here’s to you Richard. Happy Birthday!
Thanks for filling my life with so much love and laughter, for inspiring me to live my life to the fullest, for being such a wonderful father to Olive and Edie (yes I know – live in one name and die in the other – completely unintentional of course!) and for always saying “you’ll feel so much better if you do it” when I am talking myself out of going for a run!
My life is all the better for having you in it xxx
PS a wee quilt update on my American Quilt page if you are interested.
on the cRoad again 
Happy birthday, Mr Croad! Wishing you many more birthdays filled with life, love, happiness and health!
Richard you are going to have a wall full of your daughters’ art. John had on his desk (and we still have them on the desk in the study) examples of Christina and Helen’s pottery work. You get your genes I am sure from your Ma. Have a
lovely birthday.
Ma-in-law.
Happy birthday, Mr Croad! I was surprised to find out how old you are. You look just a wee bit older than 9 to me 😉 and according to Edie’s former classmates you are about 18. Here is to many years filled with all the good things from life ahead of you.