Every November, for as long as I can remember, we have celebrated my nephew’s birthday at a scruffy suburban teppanyaki restaurant.
Attendees include whichever extended family members happen to be in town.
This year it was a happy coming together of my nephew’s girlfriend, his dad and stepmother, his little brother, his paternal grandmother, my sister and her husband and myself and the youngest.
Every year, the Brown Brothers Prosecco and beers flow, various pieces of Japanese food are thrown around the room and we laugh our heads off.
My sister sent me main pic on today’s blog post after the festivities. While it features me, it also shows my sister’s first and second husbands having a laugh together.
How. Good. Is. That?
It is priceless. I felt a bit teary when my sister sent it to me.
I am so glad we can have these happy gatherings of the various clans, united by our love of my nephew.
Last night’s conviviality also erased some of the stress of the day, which included taking the youngest to a cardiologist, where we added another diagnosis to her list of ailments.
This year has been one long parade of doctors, from our GP to the sport doctor, the neurologist, the cardiologist, the allergist, the dermatologist …
Wow, it’s been a lot, both for my bank balance and the youngest’s health. But she’s such a trooper and we laugh and have a great time despite the challenges.
Tonight she has her year 12 formal and my ex and I will raise a glass with the other parents at her pre-formal celebration.
Stand by for the photos of her towering over me …
Song of the day: Hall & Oates “You make my dreams come true” (on the youngest’s playlist as we drove home from dinner)
housegoeshome 
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