God Bless James P. Sullivan Sr.

Dear Hearts,

Thirty-one years ago, on September 29, 1990, Big Sully passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was the son of John (Lefty) and Anna; brother of Sr. Anna Rita, Bob and Sr. Margaret; wife of Mary Claire, father of Jim, Mary Fran, John, Mike, Matt, Anne, Jerry, Margaret and Patty; uncle to 15, grandfather of 24; great grandfather of 27; boss, coworker, leader and friend to many more.

He was a very intelligent man with an amazing work ethic. His jobs that I know of included delivering ice blocks on the Southside of Chicago; lifeguarding at Lake Michigan; B-24 bomber pilot; and virtually every level of steelmaking up to Superintendent of the Basic Oxygen Plant at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California.

At age 68, his body could no longer stay the course. It was and was not a surprise to all of us when we each got the call that Saturday morning he died. Mom was amazed at how comfy he looked that morning she found him in bed, sleeping on his side with his forearm draped across his face. It seemed as though he slipped into eternity with comfort and ease.

He left us on the Feast of the Archangels--Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. All three of these saints have important roles in the history of salvation. Among other tasks, Michael's job is to call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment. Gabriel foretold to Mary the birth of the Savior. Raphael is known for his healing acts of mercy. A great group of escorts, if you ask me.

We miss him, we love him and all feel his presence in various ways. Keep watching over us, Dad. And we pray you are enjoying eternal life with Jesus and all our loved ones.

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

Love, Pitty Pat

Happy Birthday, Dagny!

Dear Hearts,

September 27th is the birthday of Dagny White Brogdon: daughter of Whitey and Signe; sister of Kermit, Mike and Abigail; wife of Russell and mother of Kermit and Nathaniel.

Dagny is a forensic chemist working in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and has achieved a degree of fame in Georgia among the law enforcement community there. She analyzes evidence in drug cases and others and the fact is that nobody seems to do that job like Dagny.

When facing a particularly aggressive defense attorney who was trying to degrade the State's case, Dagny's unflappable demeanor and utter grasp of the intricacies of the case defeated the attorney's attack in detail. The official report read, "Watching Dagny White Brogdon testify was like watching bullets bounce off Superman."

When she takes off her lab coat, Dagny enjoys being home with her boys, playing, watching sports, traveling and enjoying time together. She also ran the Boston Mini Marathon last year!

Happy Birthday, Dagny, and may you have 64 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, Kathleen!

Dear Hearts,

Kathleen treated Brigid to a birthday manicure.

September 24th is the birthday of Kathleen Marie Sullivan: daughter of Jim and Erin; sister of John, Annie, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; granddaughter of Aunt Darlene, niece, cousin and friend to scores more lucky people.

Kathleen has returned to Omaha after graduating from Christendom and is working as a Certified Nurse's Assistant at Nebraska Medicine, with future plans to attend nursing school. She's moved into her own apartment and has added home improvement to her skill set, remodeling her bathroom! Everyone is happy to have her back in their hometown.

She continues to brighten the world with her sweet smile and loving attitude and live out her faith in a compassionate and positive way. I'm sure she brings her patients just that--compassion and care.

So, happy birthday, Kathleen, and may you have 103 more healthy ones according to 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, Sarah!

Dear Hearts,

September 23rd is the birthday of Sarah Cassaro Sullivan: daughter of Sam and Rosemary; sister of Elizabeth, Kathleen, Patricia, Ann, Mark, Lorne and Debra; wife of Miles; mother of Maeve, James and Silas; sister-in-law, niece, cousin and friend to many more lucky folks.

Sarah is a talented professional who received a BA in Philosophy and an MA in education and worked as a corporate Operations Manager. Then, in 2013, she accepted her most important job--mama! In the little time I've spent with her, I could see clearly that Sarah is in her element with this position--patient, loving, funny and smart.

Her compassionate heart is apparent in everything she does, including supporting Miles in his work and music life, guiding and reassuring the children through the strange times of Covid-19, and welcoming friends and family into their cozy and beautiful home.

So, happy birthday, Sarah, and may you have 83 more healthy ones according to 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, Annie!

Dear Hearts,

Homecoming 2021

August 23rd is the birthday of Annemarie Clare Sullivan: daughter of Peter and Melody; sister of John, Matthew, Benjamin, Mikey and Bo; granddaughter of Bob and Darlene; cousin, niece and friend to so many more. This is Annie's Sweet 16 Birthday!

Annie was confirmed in the Catholic Church this year and is thriving in her sophomore year of high school. She continues to sing as a choir member and has performed beautifully playing the ukulele. At home she is a sweet sister and daughter, making family life better and more fun through her creativity. Her cooking is quite impressive and she recently baked a birthday cake worthy of the Cake Boss for her girlfriend.

So, happy birthday, Annie, and may you have 109 more healthy ones according to 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, Maggie!

Dear Hearts,

September 22nd is the birthday of Bitsy's daughter, Margaret Mae Dawson. Maggie is a successful entrepreneur, owning, running and growing her own fabric and quilt-supply business out of her shop in the Calumet Region. Maggie is a talented artist with some of the cutest fabric designs I've ever seen! A few are available on a website called Spoonflower, under her shop name Maggiedee.

Maggie is a faithful and loyal daughter and she and Bitsy spend a lot of good time together. Brings her Mama much happiness.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, James!

Dear Hearts,

September 18th is the birthday of James Patrick Sullivan IV: son of Miles and Sarah; brother of Maeve and Silas; grandson of Jim, Nancy and Bitsy; cousin, nephew and buddy to many more lucky folks. He is the spitting image of an Irish-America boy who would've fit right in to a Norman Rockwell painting.

James is one of ten men who carry the name in our family:

Booma's father, James Patrick Conick,
Nanny's brother, James Maloney;
Boom Boom's brother, James Sheehan;
James Patrick Sr.;
Uncle James Francis Whalen;
James Patrick Jr.;
James Patrick III;
James Naime;
James Robert Herrington;
James Patrick IV;

This James is a very sweet boy and has taken to being a big brother to Silas very nicely. This fall he is starting first grade and is sure to sail through his lessons. He is a gardener, a scientist, an explorer and and engineer all wrapped up into one.

So, happy birthday, James, and may you have 119 more healthy ones according to 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, John Robert!

Dear Hearts,

September 18th is the birthday of John Robert Sullivan: the oldest son of (Seamus the Younger) Jim and Erin; brother of Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; husband of Mercy; father of Ivar; cousin, nephew, in-law and friend to scores more folks.

John and Mercy have set up home in Omaha and are happily preparing for baby #2 very soon as Ivar will have a brother in the coming months!

Professionally, John is an engineer at Virtual Service Operations, managing computer system projects for various companies around the country. He has enjoyed success with the company so far, being asked to train for a leadership role as the company expands.

So, happy birthday, John Robert. May you have 99 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty

Prayer Request

Dear Hearts,

Please take a few minutes to offer up a prayer for an old and dear friend of Jim's (Seamus the Older).

John Norris recently broke his femur which destroyed the knee replacement on his other leg. John has just recovered from a heart attack, so leg surgery is delayed. And to make matters worse, he has been diagnosed with the Covid virus from his time in the hospital. Jim says he is out of danger but is really hurting.

So, we ask for your prayers to help bear the burden and ease the pain of our Dear Heart. Thank you all.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Mickey!

Dear Hearts,

September 14th is the birthday of Michael Levon Sullivan: son of John and Elizabeth; brother of Charlie; grandson of Mike and Joan; cousin of Caroline, Grace and June; nephew and buddy to many more. We all call him Mickey.

He started kindergarten last month and is happy to be heading off to school everyday with his brother.

Mickey is the spitting image of his Bampa (grandpa Mike) and has a smile that will charm anyone. He's independent, creative and active little guy in his own right--swimming, playing, coloring and laughing through life.

Happy birthday, Mickey, and may you have 120 more healthy ones by your Grandma's Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty

Patriot Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance

Dear Hearts,

September 11th is Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day Americans across the country are called to volunteer in their local communities in tribute to the people lost and injured in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Twenty years ago today. It was surreal. It was terrifying. We saw the worst and the best in people on that day. It's difficult, but I strive to remember the goodness, the holiness and the compassion shown by so many back then. Franciscan Father Joseph Bayne, chief chaplain of New York's Erie County Emergency Services said,
"I did not see the devil's face at Ground Zero. I saw the face of God in the people working, caring, sweating, crying, rescuing, recovering and being very spiritual in their very humanness."

God bless the dead and the damaged left in the wake of this hateful endeavor.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Dear Hearts,

September 10th is the birthday of Jim Sullivan, Seamus the Younger: son of Bob and Darlene; brother to John, Bobby, Paul, Mike, Tim, Mary, Margaret, Ella and Peter; husband to Erin; father to John, Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; uncle, cousin and friend to scores of us. When we were little, we called him "Jimbo."

As an anesthesiologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Jim continues to be a dedicated practitioner certified in internal medicine, anesthesiology and critical care medicine. He also serves as an Associate Professor, as well as a Medical Director at Werner ICU.

Outside of work, he is a devoted husband and father who has logged an enormous amount of time in the bleachers of hockey and baseball games, usually behind a video camera catching every play. Jim is also enjoying being a grandfather! God is good.

So, happy birthday, Jim. I'm sure you'll be surrounded by lots of love and attention from your beautiful brood. May you have 74 more healthy ones according to 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, Brigid!

Dear Hearts,

Brigid (in polka dots) and her sisters.

September 9th is the birthday of Brigid Clare Sullivan: daughter of Seamus the Younger and Erin; sister of John, Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Seamus and Patrick; niece, cousin and friend to many, many more lucky folks. Like so many in our clan, Brigid's face is the map of Ireland!

According to her mom, Brigid is an independent and intelligent girl who could run the house if allowed. She loves dance, spending time with her best friend and cousin, Kate, and Brigid is doing very well so far in 6th grade. She has informed her mom that she plans to have 11 children (one more than her mother.)💚

So, happy birthday, Brigid, and may you have 113 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

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Hearts,

September 8th is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was conceived without original sin by Joachim and Ann nine months before this day on December 8th, the Immaculate Conception.

"We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of two human beings has joined with God in his creative work. The loving parents have shown hope in a world filled with travail. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God’s love and peace to the world.

This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. If Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. If Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning.

Birthday celebrations bring happiness to the celebrant as well as to family and friends. Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Each time we celebrate her birth, we can confidently hope for an increase of peace in our hearts and in the world at large." https://www.franciscanmedia.org/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Knarf!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Francis Galvin, known as Knarf: Godson of Seamus the Older; husband of Annette; father of Fiona; cousin, nephew and friend to many more. He is a steady, productive member of the Chicago commodity trading community.

Knarf has been the fifth brother in Jim's family since he was about 7. He is a fine man and a real character.

Happy Birthday, Frank, and may you have 83 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Henry Aaron Hareid: son of Kate and Aaron; brother of Ava; grandson of Mary Fran and Gary; nephew, cousin, teammate and friend to a lot of other lucky folks.

Henry has just started sixth grade with his beautiful big smile, positive attitude and a fairly recent hair cut. You see, during Covid and distance learning, Hank let his hair grow past his shoulders. No matter how long his locks--Henry is one handsome boy! 

He is a talented athlete, playing ice hockey and baseball with great skill. Mom has had to take him on an occasional visit to the ER to stitch up a sliced digit, but Henry takes it all in stride and manages to entertain his family with a hilarious sense of humor.

Happy Birthday, Henry, and may you have 113 more healthy ones, according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty