Happy Birthday, Jo!

Dear Hearts,

April 1st is the birthday of Johanna Frances Clark: daughter of Lisa Whalen and Jim Clark, niece, cousin and friend to a whole bunch others.

Jo is an adventurous and creative person. Living in Seattle, Jo is working as a baker and manager at Belle Epicurean, a high-end bakery serving delicious pastries throughout the state of Washington.

So, happy birthday Jo, and may you have 97 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Joan!

Dear Hearts,

Joan flying high with her brother and sister!

April 1st is the birthday of Joan Shepson Sullivan: wife of Mike; sister of Paul and Lynn; mother of Katie O. and John; grandmother of Caroline, Charlie, Grace, Mickey and June; sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to scores more. She is, in fact, the author of the Aunt Joannie Sullivan's Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008 which is invoked at the end of every Dear Hearts greeting. Click here for more information on that law.

Joan is probably the most kind and compassionate person I know. Her patience and loving perspective always inspires me. Throw in her terrific and usually understated sense of humor and it always makes for a wonderful time. 

After a professional career and raising children, Joan has become an extraordinary woman in retirement, developing new skills in photography, Lego building and bird watching. She is an extraordinary grandma too! Joan also cherishes the times she gets to squeeze in visits with her brother and sister.

Happy birthday, Joannie, and may you have 43 more healthy ones, by your law--the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Patrick!

Dear Hearts,

April 1st is the birthday of Patrick Joseph Sullivan: son of Bobby and Nicole; brother of Jeremiah, Ella and Thomas; grandson of Bob, Darlene, Ron and Celia; nephew, cousin, teammate and friend to dozens more.

Patrick is a young man whose confidence and humility makes spending time with him very enjoyable. He continued the tradition as the fourth of his immediate family to attend UD.

So, happy birthday Patrick, and may you have 103 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Steven!

Dear Hearts,

April 1st is the birthday of Steven Wolfgram, Jim's fellow soldier who taught Jim more about courage and duty than just about anyone in the Army.

He was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and currently resides in Washington State enjoying some of the most beautiful sunsets on the globe from atop a hill overlooking the Pacific.

Jim describes Steven as very hard-nosed and very fair and very human. Indeed Steven has been honored with some very impressive accolades, including the Silver Star, an honor right under the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross.

Outside of his professional soldier work, he is a very interesting man with great compassion and creativity for life. He is very funny and loves music, cooking, gardening and traveling the world. Steven's gratitude and awe for his family is also clearly evident.

Happy birthday, Steven, and may you have 42 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Anticipation of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

Dear Hearts,

March 31st is the birthday of Margaret Caroline Merwin Hanjani: daughter of Mary Fran and Gary; sister of Joe, Kate and Luke; wife of Kameron; mama of Francesca and Inez; niece, auntie, cousin, in-law and friend to so many more. She is one of eight Margarets in our family!

With a long list of letters after her name (JD, CHPC, CIPP/E), as well as many words of admiration and recognition from colleagues, Maggie continues her work at Medtronic as a business attorney in the life sciences and medical field.

Her personal life, however, is where she puts her entire heart and soul. Maggie and Kameron enjoy a beautiful life raising two of the cutest little girls in Minnesota! Adventures abound, whether it's all four visiting Disney World, or Kam and Maggie dashing off to a far-off land for some time together.

Maggie's epic sense of humor carries everyone to a happier place! She, like Katie, helps me remember so much about Mary Fran and I am grateful--style, humor, integrity.

Happy birthday, sweet Maggie, and may you have 83 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Anticipation of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Ava!

Dear Hearts,

March 29th is the birthday of Ava Noelle Hareid: daughter of Aaron and Kate; granddaughter of Mary Fran and Gary; sister of Henry, Emma and Mia; niece, cousin and friend to many more.

Well into her spring semester at UW-Eau Claire, Ava is thoroughly enjoying her early college days--academically and socially. She remains that smart, kind and sweet young woman and we look forward to seeing where her studies and life take her in the coming years.

In her spare time, she stays fit with regular workouts, enjoys the outdoors no matter what the weather brings, and loves music and gets back home for visits to Minnesota when possible. 

Happy birthday, sweet Ava, and may you have 106 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Georgia!

Dear Hearts,

March 29th is the birthday of Georgia Lucille Sullivan: daughter of Mick and Mary; sister of Oscar and Beatrice; granddaughter of Jim, Bitsy, Nancy, George and Ellie; auntie, niece, cousin and friend to a bunch of other lucky folks. According to her daddy, Georgia is one of the most lovable, kind, intelligent people he knows.

She still has that beautiful long hair that looks gorgeous when styled in long braids. She has continued to compete in both cross country and track and field, representing her junior high with great strength and success. In fact, she was the top runner in the 8th grade girls 200 Meters Finals!

So, happy birthday, Georgia, and may you have 111 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty