Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2013

Grandson Knox is 2 years old today. He will have his birthday party tomorrow, but his mom and dad wanted him to get to blow out his candles on his actual birthday. And so he did. Happy 2nd Birthday, Knox! Granny and Grandpa love you!!

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 99 years old on December 4th. She and a packed restaurant of family and friends celebrated her remarkable milestone this evening. She enjoyed many heartfelt tributes to her in songs and poems and remembrances of her long and influential life. She entertained us by playing her piano and singing and then doing a tap dance to the tune The Entertainer [how appropriate!] while holding on to her walker for support. Can you believe she’s 99?! Amazing. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Day One Hundred Ninety Three 2013

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, SARAH!



My sweet niece Sarah celebrated her 18th birthday this evening with family and friends and a yummy chocolate cake. [Her official birth date is tomorrow] These past 18 years have rushed by, crazy fast. I’ve watched her grow up into this unique, smart, talented, gorgeous, funny and fun to be with young woman who is one of my favorite people on the planet. But then she’s always been all those things. Her future is shiny bright. Can’t wait to see where she goes and how she gets there. Wishing you all the best of everything life has to offer, Sarah. Love you to pieces.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT JOY!

My Aunt Joy Brown was  born on this date in 1914 (the year World War 1 began, the president was Woodrow Wilson, the first red and green traffic lights were installed (in Cleveland), the Panama Canal officially opened, and a postage stamp cost 2 cents.) She is 98 years old. But you’d never know it. She’s still tap dancing, after all. She feels those aches and pains, of course, but she’s still going strong and refuses to stop. So family and friends gathered together once again on this date to celebrate the life of Joy Brown. She relished every moment of it (even though she couldn’t hear half of it) and plans to do it all over again next year. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! I love you, and as I’ve always said, I want to be just like you when I grow up.