This is What a Celebration Looks Like!

Justin has been having a very difficult time at his job for many months, and for many reasons. He's vented to us, sent late-night texts that are worrisome to his mother, and generally been miserable. I offered advice when I was asked, and sympathy and caring when it seemed that he needed it the most. I know that this is not really my problem nor could I fix it, but no mother wants to see her child so unhappy for so long.

Late last week, Justin called with some good news - finally! The details are not really mine to recount, but I think I do get to share that I grabbed a cider and literally danced when I got off the phone.

He came home for a quick overnight visit on Saturday to tell us the whole story, and I decided this was worth a celebration. When the boys were young, good grades, happy news, and sometimes just the fact that we were lucky to have such great kids got celebrated and marked with a special dinner. That's just what this occasion called for.

I admired the sun shining through the pie plates I got out to bread the chicken parmesan.

There were twice-baked potatoes to go with the chicken parmesan,

and a beer for each of us to raise to Justin and good news.

It may look like just an ordinary weekend meal, but I hope you can also see the hope, happiness, and relief that were a big part of this celebratory dinner. Here's hoping you've got good things going on in your world this week.