They are joys to work with and seeing them, especially on Tuesdays which is the start of our week, is a bright spot for me.

The busiest, most harried moments in Malou's day are in those first 15 minutes as she attends to  the incoming phone calls and checks the answering machine for messages.  No matter, how busy, she will make the time to greet me with a warm smile and a great, big morning hug. 

Malou

I am not a morning person, and I need all the help and encouragement I can get. Malou's morning warmth and cheer are greatly appreciated by me.

She is a love.

Don was beaming today, very much in a holiday mood. He had a surprise on my desk for me. Don is a man after mine own heart.  He loves the holidays as much as I do.  Before he joined our team, I did most of the holiday decorating in the office. New Year's, Mardi Gras, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

He's taken over, and he does it so much BETTER. He does Memorial Day with far more loving detail, flourish, and finesse. 

Our office is looking festively memorial dayish.

As is usual, I settle into the day by reviewing my printed schedule neated placed on my desk by Malou.  I preview the clients I'll be seeing, drawing hearts over their names, as I review their cases in my mind. With rare exceptions, my clients are returnees and I've known them -- and their families --  for years.  

My workday often feels like good ol' home week.  Hourly reunions with cherished friends.

Today, I paused and smiled, pleasantly surprised, as I came across Samara's name in an afternoon slot. My goddaughter was scheduled  to see me.  I've known her almost all her life, meeting her when she was a gap-toothed hula dancing, lady-bug of a little girl.

I smiled as I thought about Mother's Day.  Samara, her husband Jonathan, and her sister Alana made that holiday so special for their mother and me.  I think of Samara.  She is a dedicated, thoughtful and sweet daughter. 

I have been truly blessed to have such a gracious, loving and beautiful woman in my life.  

After the last client of the morning, I stopped by the front desk and there was Samara and her mother (and my dear friend) Sue!  Just in time for lunch.  We wasted no time and headed over to the Japanese restaurant just down the way.

Samara and Sue

Samara loves sushi.  I should've known! 

But surprised I was, and even more surprised to see Sue in a leg cast.  A hairline fracture.  It's going to be a challenge to keep that girl down.