Tears of Happiness (the best kind)

Hey everyone!

Imagine if you will: I arrived this morning at the port of Riga. It was a one mile trudge on 12 inches of powder, on slushy icy cobblestone streets, my pack on my back the whole way (I biffed it sideways into a snow bank at one point -- very embarrassing). Cold and winded, I eventually found my sweet hotel, checked in, and opened the door to my room for the night. And what greeted me when I walked in was a huge bouquet of yellow daffodils and daisies and an extraordinary note written in a foreign hand: Dear Tory, Happy Birthday! Love Mom and Dad.

I was so moved I hugged the stuffing out of the receptionist, whom I caught a little off guard, and cried tears of happiness... the best kind. Thank you, thank you Mom and Dad. I have no idea how you could coordinate to have a spring bouquet arrive in Latvia in my room on this special day but it makes me love you and miss you all the more! They are exquisite!

Here is how I spent the last day of my (gulp) 39th year:

The snow began in earnest after I left the (rather dull) Nobel museum, and by the time I made the long hike back to my hotel, my day bag had frozen shut. I didn't even know Velcro could freeze, but there you go. I made it to the shuttle bus to the ferry terminal with seconds to spare.

The ferry was not a commuter ferry; rather, it was more like a small cruise ship. There were four restaurants on board, a casino, a night club and lounge. I hung out in the lounge to take in the show. The ferry was pretty empty but a small audience gathered. The house band was a Bulgarian group which played exclusively American popular music from the 40s to the 90s. They opened with Fly me to the Moon, then Hound Dog, and so it went. The mix was eclectic, and not a little surreal. Their rendition of Chers Do You Believe in Life After Love nearly brought down the house.

To add to the atmosphere, the ferry was celebrating "Russian Week" and between sets, a group of Russian dancers graced the stage. How they kept their balance, I have no idea. The seas of the Baltic were icy, cold, and very rough. The boat creaked from side to side with a definite tilt. I joined our small audience in dancing to the band whenever the house band played a song from the 80s or later. When the show ended, our little group drifted to the Karaoke bar where I ticked another item off my must do list: sing karaoke ABBA in Stockholm. Okay, maybe we were in international waters by then, but proximity counts.

"Thank you for the Music" is now my absolute favorite ABBA song, and a priceless memory :-)

This morning, I awoke to port in Riga, and feel so truly blessed to be entering my 40th year with the exceptional friends and family that I have in each of you. And a special message for my very special brother: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MURRAY! And for the matchless Nikole, whose 40th is not far off, I add a HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKOLE! And we can all celebrate!

Love T