La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
I’M AT A loss for words. I know. I know. It doesn’t often happen. Kathleen, Pedro, and my pal Luke hosted a birthday dinner at their house last night that left me filled with love and, at times, tears. Kathleen and Pedro are both phenomenally creative, as is Luke. Having also seen the Van Gogh Alive exhibit in Málaga (click here), Kathleen thought it would be fun to make that the theme of my birthday dinner — replacing “Mitchell” for “Van Gogh.” Here are a few pictures to give you the idea.
IF YOU CAN SPARE the time, please watch the two videos. Pedro and Kathleen lovingly created this 13-minute wonder from my blog posts. The two videos should be watched simultaneously; the second video contains the quotes to be viewed along with the images. Just like the Van Gogh exhibit. Only so much better. Additional gifts were a hand-painted treasure box and picture frame (both by Luke) and a houseplant chosen by Luke. The frame will soon contain one of the photos from my blog that Pedro transformed a la Van Gogh.
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ME FALTAN LAS palabras. Lo sé. Lo sé. No sucede a menudo. Kathleen, Pedro, y mi compadre Luke organizaron una cena de cumpleaños anoche en su casa que me dejó llena de amor y, a veces, de lágrimas. Kathleen y Pedro son fenomenalmente creativos, como lo es Luke. Habiendo visto también la exhibición de Van Gogh Alive en Málaga (haz clic aquí), Kathleen pensó que sería divertido hacer el tema de mi cena de cumpleaños, reemplazando “Mitchell” por “Van Gogh”. Aquí hay algunas fotos para darte idea. It was indeed a starry, starry night.
SI PUEDE RECAMAR el tiempo, mire los dos videos. Pedro y Kathleen crearon esta maravilla de 13 minutos a partir de las entradas de mi blog. Los dos videos deben ser vistos simultáneamente; el segundo video contiene las citas que se verán junto con las imágenes. Al igual que la exposición de Van Gogh. Sólo que mucho mejor. Los regalos adicionales fueron una caja de tesoros y un marco para fotos pintados a mano (ambos de Luke) y una planta de elegida por Luke. El marco pronto contendrá una de las fotos de mi blog que Pedro transformó a la Van Gogh. De hecho, fue una noche estrellada, estrellada.
Luke con su versión de Noche Estrellada.
Hubo una “actividad” antes de la [Pinta como Van”, dijo Kathleen. De izquierda a derecha, de arriba a abajo: Pedro, San Geraldo, el cumpleañero, Luke, y Kathleen.
Cocido a la Pedro. 
Tarta de queso con cerezas y un borde de Oreo de Kathleen (y Luke).
Luke was so excited to have so many surprises. “What’s going on now?” I would ask. “Nothing,” he would reply with a smile.
Luke estaba tan emocionado de tener tantas sorpresas. “¿Qué está pasando ahora?”, yo preguntaría. “Nada”, él contestaba con una sonrisa.
Happy Birthday, Mitchell! What a wonderful party and gifts! I especially love Luke’s version of “Starry (Starry) Night.” But, oh my, the videos! I watched them simultaneously as you stated — fantastic! The “artified” photos, the quotations, the music — all were inspired and perfect!
Debra:
There was so much fun and the videos had me stunned. I watched them at least 6 times in the last two days.
I am without words! Well, without adequate words! Pedro and Kathleen, that video combo was the best thing I have ever seen! Happiest of happy birthdays to you, dear Mitchell!
Judy:
Thank you so much. What a way to start my Birthday Week. They are all so creative and Pedro is a wonder with video production. He apparently spent the week converting the photos and creating the videos. Right until we rang the doorbell.
Wow. What great and thoughtful and brilliant gifts; and the videos had me a bit teary-eyed too. I told you the other day that you were loved and this is more than enough proof.
Happy birthday my friend.
Bob:
I DO feel loved. It would be so nice if it would sink in! I’ll just keep watching the video combo. What a blessing to have friends like these.
Happy Birthday Mitchell🎈🎈🎂🎂🎂🎉🎉🎉🍸🍸🍸💋💋💋
What great friends you have in that family!!!! The party sounds amazing, but those videos are genius!!!! I love how she did the filter on them. And when we see all those lovely fashion statements from there, I don’t think she could have picked a better song. The song for the cats cracked me up!!!!!! So cool the commentary is in the separate video. I loos track of how many times you moved too. Have a good day my friend!
Mistress Maddie:
Isn’t that amazing?!? Pedro did the video production. He’s a phys ed teacher who could also be an artist, a musician, a scientist. Just brilliant. Kathleen, too! She has the most creative mind and is always coming up with wonderful ideas … and she follows through. Luke is SO lucky to be inspired and encouraged by these two, and I’m so glad Kathleen found us.
I second Bob. *SNIFF*!
Deedles:
Oh, yeah. Still watching the video combo and still getting teary eyed. How can I NOT be grateful?!?
EPIC BIRTHDAY!
anne marie:
Epic is the perfect word. Thanks!
How super sweet – you are definitely blessed with good “people”
Cheapchick:
I can’t believe I’ve been blessed with friends like these.
Outstanding!
Tynan:
I knew you’d like it!
Oh, Mitchell!
First of all, Happy Happy Birthday to you and may you have many more!
Now that that’s out of the way…..wow! Your friends are fantastic and I love, love, love, all the wonderful gifts they lavished you with! You deserve every bit of it, of course. 🙂 And little Luke is beyond adorable! What a lucky Tio you are to have him in your life.
This post just brims with joy! 🙂
Jennifer:
I should just get up every morning and thank the Universe for Luke, Kathleen, and Pedro!
You have scored HIGH my friend really HIGH with these wonderful people.
Now go give them some squishy thank you hugs!
Ron:
We have been friends for less than 3 years but I can’t imagine life without them.
That was great!!! I love the diverse musical styles, rather than sticking with just one song. Since I recognized most of those pictures from your blog, I assume there some kind of computer program that turns photos in Van Gogh paintings. Unless you painted them yourself! Anyway, I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again today, Happy Birthday!
Kirk:
Pedro has a program he used to convert the photos to paintings. I’d actually like to print some of them on canvas! But I can’t believe the amount of work. First, Kathleen and Pedro made initial selections of photos and quotes from my blog. Then, Pedro transformed the photos, redid the quotes, and organized them (brilliantly), and chose the musical accompaniment. I wouldn’t know where to begin. AND… I don’t know where to begin to tell them how grateful I am to have them in my life. I hope they know by now.
WOW! Mitchell…I think they like you! NO! I REALLY think they like you!
Jim:
Oh (in that other Mitchell Voice), they’re just being nice. But, really, I DO feel loved. REALLY really loved.
What Fun !
You have some fabulous friends.(of course) what a party.
Happy Birthday !
parsnip
Parsnip:
Gratitude!
Wow! Great fun! Great job, Pedro & Kathleen! I can feel the love from here. Happy Birthday, again Mitchell!
Susan:
Oh, how you would love them!
WOW! So happy you’re surrounded by loving, creative, amazing friends. Happy Birthday Mitchell! Miss you more than you know.
Sirious:
Thanks so much. Hope you’re doing well. Sending you long overdue hugs!
How wonderful to have such loving and creative friends. The caring shows in everything they do to celebrate you and what you mean to them.
Willym,
They’re just what the doctor ordered. I am so grateful.