Happy birthday, Aida!

Dear Hearts,

August 31st is the birthday of Aida Labto Whalen: wife of Christian Martin Whalen; mother of Karen and June; grandmother of Isabela, Seth, Jayden and Sophie; cousin, in-law, auntie and friend to many more. I may have missed some folks here, so I apologize for any omissions.

Aida works at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center and loves living in Missoula. She cherishes the role of grandmother to her adorable little ones and spends as much time as possible with them--whether in Missoula, Florida or wherever her family calls home. She is loving, kind and always a pleasure to visit.

Happy Birthday, Aida, and may you have 58 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

God Bless Boom Boom

Dear Hearts,

August 30th is the 121st anniversary of the birth of Marie Frances Sheehan Wiley in Chicago. Everyone called her Boom Boom.

She is the grandmother of all the Chicago Sullivans and the Whalens, the mother of both of those mothers, Mary Claire Wiley Sullivan and Helen Wiley Whalen. She was the wife of Boompa, Irwin Vincent Wiley--married in 1925. They had two daughters and 14 grandchildren. They lived to see about thirty of their great-grandchildren. Boom Boom died on August 16th, 1997, at age 94.

I think Boom was a beautiful example of holding tight to the goodness of the past and embracing the future and all it offers. It's amazing to think about our world in 1903 and the changes she witnessed in her lifetime. She taught us about so much about loyalty, faithfulness and generosity. We all received the best quality of everything from Boom, with abundance.

Thanks for being such a wonderful presence in our lives Boom.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Dear Hearts,

August 24th is the birthday of Emma Jill Sullivan: daughter of Paul and Stephanie; sister of Hannah, Jack, Liam, Callum and Ewan Sullivan; granddaughter of Bob and Darlene and Jill and Robbie; cousin, niece and friend to many more.

As part of her undergraduate work at the University of Dallas, Emma has set off to the Rome campus where she will be studying and traveling for the next 4 months there. To add to the richness of the experience, her cousins Deedee and Mia will also be studying there.

So, she has left her younger brothers and rejoins Jack in the world of upper education. It will be wonderful to see how this athletic, artistic, strong, brave and smart young world traveler grows in her education and faith.

Happy birthday, Emma, and may you have 105 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Kermit!

Dear Hearts,

August 24th is the birthday of Lawrence Kermit White III: son of Whitey (Lawrence Kermit White Jr.) and Signe; brother of Abigail and Dagne; friend of many.

Kermit is an aeronautical engineer who has kayaked with his father down the Missouri River in a reverse trace of the path of Lewis and Clark, traversed the entire Appalachian Trail (which is the climbing equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times), is an expert at detailing cars and an all-around great guy. Like his father and mother, he is what makes the country roll along.

Happy Birthday, Kermit, and may you have 79 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, Damian!

Dear Hearts,

August 21st is the birthday of Damian Michael Whalen: son of John and Helen; brother of Christian, Teresa, Lisa and Mercy; uncle, cousin and friend to many. For several decades he has shared his talents with this world as a high school counselor, professor and teacher.

Damian has a tender heart, creative mind and impressive intellect. He sees potential in everything which produces a positive outlook from a low-key guy. He would disagree, but I am continually impressed at his creativity and caring nature.

A conversation about British TV series with Damian will have you making a list of what to watch for the coming months. He also is absolutely hilarious and has left many of his cousins with some terrific stories of his visits to Southern California in the 1970s and '80s.

Damian is something of a caretaker of the Whalen homestead, living in the house in which they grew up and sharing lots of heritage and mementos with us all.

Happy birthday Damian, and may you have 57 more years, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Dear Hearts,

August 21st is the birthday of Miles Henry Isaac Jogues Sullivan: son of Seamus the Older and Nancy; brother of Jim, Mick, Amos and Francie; husband of Sarah; father of Maeve, James and Silas; uncle, nephew, cousin, bandmate and friend to scores more folks. Miles possess talents that continue to amaze all of us.

He is a gifted musician, able to play guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano and more. His singing voice is strong and full of character and emotion. Indeed, he states on his BandCamp page, "My goal is to help keep the classic traditions of American music alive today."

Apart from his music, Miles is also an entrepreneur in the business world and a hard-working and loving husband and dad at home.

Happy Birthday Miles, 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 keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Mikey!

Dear Hearts,

August 20th is the birthday of Michael Drexel Sullivan: son of Peter and Melody; brother of Annemarie, John, Matthew, Benjamin, Bo and James; grandson of Bob and Darlene and Melvin and Debra; cousin, nephew and friend to so many more. He has just started third grade!

Mikey remains full of curiosity, energy and joy--investigating little creepy crawlies, joining whatever game is being played, swimming in the pool, lake or ocean, and playing or cuddling with his siblings. He has dedicated himself to learning already--offering his family and friends lessons on various topics like U.S. Presidents, the solar system, geology or marine biology with an emphasis on Beluga whales. In the words of his mom, "You keep us informed of all that’s going on in the world  A wealth of info!"

Happy birthday, Mikey, and may you have 116 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

God Bless Aunt Blanche

Dear Hearts,

August 18th is the birthday of Blanche Cecilia Wiley Polley: daughter of Alred and Wanda; sister of Norbert, Alfred, Carl, Eugene, Irwin and Stewart. She was Boompa's only sister, born in 1917 in the house at 704 W. 50th Street in Chicago, and just a baby when her mother died of the Spanish Flu.

In 1939, Aunt Blanche married Eugene Polley (Polaczynski) who invented the remote control while employed at Zenith here in Chicago. Our little bit of history.

God bless you, Aunt Blanche. We pray you are enjoying a blissful family reunion in heaven.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Dave!

Dear Hearts,

August 18th is the birthday of David Wilson Francis: husband of Teresa; father of Camden; in-law, uncle and friend to many more lucky folks.

Dave continues a productive and creative life in retirement, though I wouldn't be surprised if he still has some business dealings through his former company. For many years, he was the CEO of Military Threads and secured many federal contracts to supply specialized fabrics to government agencies.

When you spend time with Dave you're sure to enjoy intelligent conversation, comfortable hospitality, delicious cooking and detailed discussions involving any of the New England sports franchises. Most days you'll see him wearing a Red Sox hat or a Patriots T-shirt.

Happy Birthday, Dave, and may you have 55 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, Camden!

Dear Hearts,

August 18th is the birthday of Camden John Francis: son of Teresa and Dave; grandson of Helen and John; nephew, cousin and friend to scores more folks. Camden shares his birthday with his father, Dave!

Living in Seattle, Camden works for the Ballard Football Club--a men's semi-pro soccer team--as the Vice President, as well as serving as the Executive Director of the club's charitable foundation.

Camden is a history buff, cycling enthusiast, lover of travel and music, and all-around good guy who brings a thoughtful perspective and terrific sense of humor to every interaction/occasion.

Happy Birthday Camden, and may you have 93 more by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty

God Bless Aunt Anna Rita

Dear Hearts,

August 18th is anniversary of the death of our beloved aunt, Sister Anna Rita Sullivan, Order of Preachers, a life-long Dominican nun, servant of the poor, epitome of motherhood to thousands of little ones with nothing, encourager and defender of immigrants, forgiver of fools, one who loved, always and everywhere. She and Aunt Margaret were known as The Aunties.

She was born February 11, 1923 in Chicago, and died in 2006 in her 83rd year of her life and the 62nd year of her Religious Profession, in Phoenix, surrounded by much of her family. She was the daughter of John Jeremiah "Lefty" Sullivan and Anna Conick Sullivan, sister of Sister Margaret, O. P., Bob and Jim, and Aunt to all of us.

Anna Rita had her share of physical pain and hardship--weathered it all and never, ever complained. She was a cancer survivor, but never flinched through the harrowing experience of undergoing a radical mastectomy in the late 1960s. She was incredibly intelligent in intellect and emotion.

She and Aunt Margaret are buried alongside the nuns they served with, in small groups, making an overall circle in the back yard of the mother house in Adrian, Michigan. It is a beautiful place. Thank you, Aunt Anna Rita, for a lifetime of rock-solid, never-failing goodness, kindness and sweetness.

Love, Patty

God Bless Alfred

Dear Hearts,

August 17th is the anniversary of the birth of Alfred Raymond Wilkoshesky: son of Alfred (Snaz) and Wanda; brother of Norbert, Carl, Eugene, Irwin, Stewart and Blanche; husband of Ann. He was born at 806 W. 50th Street in Chicago on a Wednesday in 1898, the second of seven children.

I have little information on Boompa's siblings beyond the scrupulous birth, marriage and death records passed on through the years. Alfred was baptized at the St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church with his Uncle Edmund and Aunt Stanislava as his Godparents. He attended Tilden Tech High School, like Boompa, and married Ann Stahl in 1937.

God bless Alfred, and may he be enjoying eternal life with Christ, his parents, siblings and loved ones.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Agnes!

Dear Hearts,

Agnes' first year in school and her
daddy's 20th!

August 16th is the birthday of Agnes Elisa Herrington: daughter of Phillip and Ella Herrington; sister of Darlene, Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Anna and Rose. She is the 47th grandchild of Uncle Bob and Aunt Darlene, and the 18th granddaughter.

St. Agnes is a symbol that holiness does not depend on length of years, experience, or human effort. It is a gift God offers to all. She is the Patroness of Girls. Our Agnes has started school and will be setting off each day with a few siblings and cousins. I'm certain her sister Rose will be ready and waiting to welcome her home at the end of the day.

Welcome to another trip around the calendar, sweet Agnes, and may you have 119 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

Boom Boom's Last Day

Dear Hearts,

August 16th is the 26th anniversary of the death of Mary Frances Sheehan Wiley: daughter of John and Katie Sheehan; wife of Irwin Vincent Wiley; mother of Mary Claire Wiley Sullivan and Helen Wiley Whale; grandmother of the Chicago Sullivans and the Montana Whalens; great grandmother to 32; friend and pen pal to hundreds more. Everyone called her Boom Boom.

When Mary Claire, Mary Fran and Aunt Helen were moving Boom and Boomp out of their house in Lansing in the early '90s, Boom's birth certificate was found and they discovered her given name was Marie.

Boom Boom died at age 94 after a beautiful life. A daughter of Irish immigrants, smart as a whip, brave as a lion and faithful as the day is long. She was an executive secretary at Hutchinson & Hutchinson at the Chicago Stock Yards and carried those skills with a passion into her private life. Her beautiful secretary desk--that Katie O. now owns--was always over-filled envelopes, cards, appointment books, stamps and stickers. We were lucky recipients of Boom's generosity and impeccable taste--top-quality everything, from Waterford crystal to thick flannel pajamas.

Thank you, Boom Boom, for your endless generosity and love.

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

Love, Patty

The Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Hearts,

August 15th is the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I believe it is also the day Mary Claire Wiley Sullivan was baptized!

Below is the story of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from FranciscanMedia.org:

On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.” The pope proclaimed this dogma only after a broad consultation of bishops, theologians and laity. There were few dissenting voices. What the pope solemnly declared was already a common belief in the Catholic Church.

We find homilies on the Assumption going back to the sixth century. In following centuries, the Eastern Churches held steadily to the doctrine, but some authors in the West were hesitant. However by the 13th century there was universal agreement. The feast was celebrated under various names—Commemoration, Dormition, Passing, Assumption—from at least the fifth or sixth century. Today it is celebrated as a solemnity.

Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s assumption into heaven. Nevertheless, Revelation 12 speaks of a woman who is caught up in the battle between good and evil. Many see this woman as God’s people. Since Mary best embodies the people of both Old and New Testaments, her assumption can be seen as an exemplification of the woman’s victory.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul speaks of Christ’s resurrection as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Since Mary is closely associated with all the mysteries of Jesus’ life, it is not surprising that the Holy Spirit has led the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his glorification. So close was she to Jesus on earth, she must be with him body and soul in heaven.

REFLECTION

In the light of the Assumption of Mary, it is easy to pray her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) with new meaning. In her glory she proclaims the greatness of the Lord and finds joy in God her savior. God has done marvels to her and she leads others to recognize God’s holiness. She is the lowly handmaid who deeply reverenced her God and has been raised to the heights. From her position of strength she will help the lowly and the poor find justice on earth, and she will challenge the rich and powerful to distrust wealth and power as a source of happiness.

Happy Birthday, Melody!

Dear Hearts,

August 12th is the birthday of Melody Rae Sullivan: wife of Peter; mother of Annie, John, Matthew, Ben, Mikey, Bo and James; daughter, sister, auntie, cousin and friend to many more.

She remains the epitome of Texas hospitality, creating a beautiful and welcoming home while maintaining an uncanny and admirable peacefulness. 

Melody is the best and most gracious cheerleader of her family and wonderfully abundant group of friends, cooking, shuttling and arranging celebrations for everyone in her realm. It's surprising to see that little James has headed off to preschool this year--and I'm sure Melody has bittersweet feelings about that.

Happy Birthday, Melody, and may you have 82 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, Timmy!

 Dear Hearts,

August 10th is the birthday of Timothy Michael Lewis: son of Paul and Margaret Lewis; brother of Mary Ella, PJ, Robert and William; nephew, cousin and friend to a whole bunch more lucky folks. He has those happy eyes I remember seeing on his Uncle John Jeremiah.

There is no doubt to whom Timmy belongs when you're amongst the dozens of cousins in Arizona--he has the beautiful red hair, adorable freckles and sparkly eyes of both his mom and dad. A real Normal Rockwell model!

Timmy is an altogether happy boy who is willing to jump in to whatever game or challenge his siblings and cousins present. He's tough and sweet and funny and shy. He's also a very smart baseball player and will join any conversation on the sport. A few years ago, he shared proudly with me his inside-the-park homerun!

Happy birthday Timmy, 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

God Bless Anastasia

Dear Hearts,

August 10th is the birthday of our great-grandmother, Anastasia Raftice Conick: daughter of Edmund Raftice and Margaret Bolger Raftice; wife of James Conick; and mother of Alice, Eleanor and Anna (our grandmother we called Booma/Mom). She was born in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in 1857 and died in Chicago on September 13, 1923. Big Sully was just a little over a year and a half old.

Anastasia married James, an Irish immigrant who worked as a detective in Chicago, in 1884. She was a tough woman having to keep Grandpa Connick in line, and ran an efficient household. Anastasia was a classic Irish beauty.

Thank you for watching over us Anastasia.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Teresa!

 Dear Hearts,

August 10th is the birthday of Teresa Whalen Francis: daughter of John and Helen; sister of Chris, Damian, Lisa and Mercy; wife of Dave; mother of Camden; aunt, cousin and friend to many more.

Professionally has worked as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner working in Addiction Medicine in Missoula. The clinic for which she most recently worked is lucky to have an employee who offers a combination of clinical intelligence, strong work ethic and compassion for her patients.

Teresa and Dave live in the shadow of the University of Montana, Missoula--just a few miles from the Whalen abode where they all grew up. She continues the creative and artistic pursuits learned from her mom and Boom Boom. Knitting, sewing, quilting, calligraphy and crafting--and is a talented artist in many forms. Teresa is also terrific source for family history and stories.

Happy birthday Teresa, and may you have 55 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, Anne!

Dear Hearts,

Our eyes are a bit teary and smudged due to
the usual laughter and hilarity that comes
when we're together.

August 10th is the birthday of Anne Elizabeth Sullivan Daly: daughter of Big Sully and Mary Claire; sister of Jim, Mary Fran, John, Mike, Matt, Jerry, Margy and Patty; mother of Claire and Willis; wife of Malachy Daly; stepmother of five, with a flock of Irish grandchildren; auntie, cousin and friend to scores more folks.

Professionally, Anne is highly accomplished, having trained and worked as a registered nurse and a lawyer. Today she is the Vice President of Compliance at Samaritan Health Services in Oregon. She and Malachy are enjoying life in Milwaukie, Oregon in a lovely home with a yard full of fruit trees and berry bushes. She is enjoying the Pacific Northwest weather and natural beauty.

Anne will enjoy an intellectual debate, then turn around and make us wheeze with laughter. She is well into the process of gaining Irish citizenship, which is no easy task, and having a great time feeding the birds in her backyard. She continues her travelling not only for work, but to visit family and strengthen those bonds.

Happy birthday Anne, and may you have 60 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, Gus!

Dear Hearts,

August 8th is the birthday of Augustus S. Lee, known as Gus. Gus is Jim's--and now our--beloved friend. Gus's wife Diane is his soulmate and Gus speaks unabashedly of his passion and admiration for her. They write books together, love their children and their grandchildren.

Gus has brought truly meaningful and important stories to the world through various media outlets--books, podcasts, interviews, etc. We can all appreciate the talents and goodness of this man by visiting his website at https://www.guslee.net/about/, or by searching his name on Youtube and Wikipedia. Recently, he was honored by West Point's Library and Associate Dean to have all eight of his books added to its illustrious permanent historical collections.

I have not yet met Gus in person, but hope to do so one day. Through electronic communication/media, however, I have come to know him as a wonderful person who is incredibly humble, considerate and loving, while serving our world as a courageous and righteous leader. I'm guessing the phrase "gentle giant" has been attached to his name more than once.

Happy birthday, Gus, and may you have 46 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

God Bless Mom/Booma

Dear Hearts,

August 8th is the anniversary of the death of our grandmother who we called Booma or Mom. Anna Mildred Conick Sullivan, wife of Lefty, mother of Big Sully, Uncle Bob, Aunt Anna Rita, Aunt Margaret. The branch springing from Jim called her Booma, and the branch springing from Bob called her Mom. She was 85 in 1979 when she died, and she's buried between Uncle Bob and her grandson, John Jeremiah.

Booma lived with the Aunties, right next door to Uncle Bob, Aunt Darlene and their ten kids in Phoenix. She was lovely and gentle and smelled of talcum powder. History shows, however, she was also intelligent and strong.

Early in her marriage, Booma and Lefty lost four babies, two of whom only took a few breaths, one who lived a month (John Jeremiah, Jr.) and one who only lived an hour (James Patrick.) While our Dad was at war, she received three telegrams from the War Department saying her son's plane had been hit and was seen going down.

Booma used to make private moments with each of her grandchildren, washing their hands and faces, asking them about school and baseball. She loved baseball, but would not allow anyone to go to Cubs park, and she hated Comiskey for the way he had treated Lefty and the other White Sox players. She was also an excellent bridge player.

Booma was a classic, and the love affair between her and Lefty was beautiful. He was her "Sully." Happy Birthday, Booma, Mom, Anna, and please look out for us all, and lend us your strong heart.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Dear Hearts,

August 5th is the birthday of Michael Joseph Anthony Sullivan: husband of Joan Shepson Sullivan, who made up Joannie's Law of Longevity Anticipation of 2008; father of John and Katie; grandfather of Charlie, Mickey, Caroline, Grace and June; son of Big Sully and Mary Claire; brother of Jim, Mary Fran, John, Matt, Anne, Jerry, Margy and Patty; cousin, uncle and friend of everybody else. Mom always said Mike was her birthday present, as he arrived just a day after her birthday.

Mike continues to learn about gardening and create beautiful things in his backyard. He's a voracious reader but will drop his book immediately if a grandchild or two ( or three, or four or five) comes around. The whole clan recently enjoyed their annual tradition of spending a week on Lake Michigan--swimming, playing, singing and simply spending time together.

When Mike is around, you are sure to feel loved, listen to music, laugh a lot, watch and listen to some world-class whistling and be entertained by his goofiness and hilarity.

Happy Birthday, Mike and may you have 54 more healthy ones, by your wife's Law. God bless us and keep us and save us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Joe!

 Dear Hearts,

August 4th is the birthday of Joseph Dominic Sullivan, son of Dr. Seamus the Younger and Erin Coffey Sullivan, and brother of John, Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; nephew and cousin to a ton of Sullivans and Coffeys; friend and teammate to many more. Joe is the blonde, blue eyed, freckle faced one, as his mom describes him.

He'll be starting his senior year in high school soon, and is sure to carry on with a stellar GPA. Outside of studies, he has had some truly impressive athletic accomplishments, including throwing a no-hitter for the the Omaha Northwest Huskies (seven complete innings with no hits!). He adds that to his Nebraska State High School Championship in hockey too!

Happy Birthday, Joseph, 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

God Bless Mom

 Dear Hearts,

August 4th is the anniversary of the birth of Mary Claire Rita Wiley Sullivan: daughter of Boom Boom and Boompa; sister of Helen; wife of Big Sully; mother of Seamus the Older, Mary Fran, John, Mike, Matt, Anne, Jerry, Margaret and Patty; grandmother of 24; great-grandmother of 21; aunt of Whalens and the Arizona Sullivans; and friend to all. She died in Orange, CA on May 6, 2011.

She was a beautiful woman with many talents, among them gardening, playing piano, cooking, decorating, grammar/diction, playing bridge, humor and Irish dancing. Jim recalls her dancing the "Stack of Barley" with old Mr. Barry (probably a cousin of our great-great-grandmother, Mary Barry) down at Cannon's on the corner of 50th and Halsted, when he was about 6.

Mary Claire Wiley was in pre-med at Marquette in 1946 when she took organic chemistry with a future steel-mill metallurgist named James Patrick Sullivan, just home from WWII. He caught a feral cat--a required item for her anatomy class (the skull was rattling around our house until the early 2000s)--and chased away all other suitors. They married the next year and she called off med school, having nine babies over the next 18 years.

She taught us things that are hard to quantify--that people are the most important ingredient of life; that fat carries flavor; to watch out for the poor and down-trodden; to make friends with the unpopular kid; and above all, believe in the power of love.

She is gone from us now, although the legacy of love that she imparted travels on. Happy Birthday, Mary Claire Sullivan, Mom, Granny.

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

Love, Patty