Rounding the corner onto the Square, it was fun to see the artists and vendors, mimes and musicians that were always gathered there. Jefferson Square is a popular tourist destination and on the weekends it’s usually a very festive place. Maggie was on the lookout for dogs as I was making a beeline to the community center, hoping beyond hope there wasn’t another “doggie stop” between us and the party.

Fortunately, we made it the community center without incident, and as we neared the entrance we could hear singing and laughter from behind the door.

Just as I lifted Layla from the stroller, more guests arrived. As they opened the door, the party spilled out around us.

“My lord, is that Layla?” a voice said from just inside the door, and within seconds we were surrounded by members of Mama’s family. I recognized a few of them from the “babysitting brigade” as I called them. Then Maggie, tugging on my shirt sleeve, said over the din, “Jim, just don’t stand there, let’s go in!” And with that we got swept into the giant old hall that had been reserved for Mama’s birthday.