Happy Birthday, Luke!

Dear Hearts,

July 6th is the birthday of Luke Sullivan Merwin: son of Mary Fran and Gary; brother of Joe, Kate and Maggie; brother-in-law of Will and Kameron; uncle of Elianah, Ava, Henry, Francesca and Inez; nephew, cousin and friend to scores more folks. I am amazed at how much he looks like his mom these days!

I will mention Luke's professional efforts at Wells Fargo as an Escalations Consultant, where his 15+ years in customer service makes him a great fit for this--listening to customers and addressing their concerns. More interesting, however, is what he does in his spare time. 

He offers comedy in stand-up form, he cooks, he plays music, he babysits, he creates fashion trends (you've seen his striped pants, right?), he cheers on his beloved Packers, he loves and cares for his dog Sally, and he will make a fool of himself if it means helping another person. Yep, Luke is as loyal as the day is long and funny to boot.

And if you're wondering how to make him really happy, figure out a way to deliver a #6 Value Meal from Tuckers in Fondy to his home in Minneapolis.

Happy Birthday, Luke, and may you have 80 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, Holden!

 Dear Hearts,

July 5th is the birthday of Holden Daniel Glick: son of Daniel and Amanda; grandson of Margaret and Brian Glick, and Diana and Jerry; cousin, nephew and buddy to a whole bunch of us.

Holden's big brown eyes and beautiful blonde hair shows an amazing mix of his mama and daddy. He is a gentle and sure little boy, and is growing fast toward his third year.

He enjoys adventures with his mom and dad and is growing up to be a healthy, happy little guy.

Happy birthday, Holdy, and may you have 121 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 Independence Day!

 Dear Hearts,

July 4th is the 247th birthday of our beloved land. I offer some interesting info about why we celebrate the way we do on this day.

John Adams, the Boston-born Founding Father, spurred the idea to light up the skies each Independence Day. A day after the Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776—yes, July 2—Adams wrote a letter from Philadelphia to his wife back home in Boston commemorating the day. His letter to Abigail Adam, dated July 3, 1776, read in part:

"But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America..."

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

However you choose to celebrate, I wish you all a healthy, happy July 4th!

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Fiona!

Dear Hearts,

July 4th is the birthday for little Fiona Sophie Piper Galvin: daughter of Jim's Godson and nephew, and his sons' fifth brother, Frank Galvin, and his beautiful wife Annette Keppeler Galvin.

Frank, also known as Knarf, and Knarfington, has been Amos's sidekick for some 30+ years. They both have good and beautiful women, and gorgeous children.

And Frank's little girl is gorgeous.

Happy Birthday, Fiona, and may you have 115 more healthy years, 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, Rick!

Dear Hearts,

July 3rd is the birthday of Richard James Dawson, Jr.: son of Bitsy Sullivan and Rick Dawson, stepson of Seamus the Older; brother of Maggie; father of Rachel; and loving friend of beautiful Kelly Benoit.

Rick is the apple of his Mom's eye and a successful entrepreneur who works in real estate investing and is practicing law in his home town of Munster. He has a big heart, made of gold, as good a guy as you could hope for. He takes care of a lot of people, without a sound, and always does his job.

Happy Birthday, Rick, and may you have 76 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, Claire!

Dear Hearts,

July 2nd is the birthday of Claire Marie Frances Kimbel: daughter of Anne Sullivan Daly and Curt Kimbel; stepdaughter of Malachy Daly; sister of Willis; niece, cousin and friend to many, many more.

Claire is one of the six girl Sully cousins born within a year or so of each other--each of a different sibling: Jim's Franny, Mary Fran's Maggie, John's Maggie, Mike's Katie, and Margaret's Lizzy. And this group is book ended by Kate Merwin ahead of them and Georgia Sullivan bringing up the rear.

Claire is working as a manager of two residential sobriety homes in Colorado. Her work is very rewarding and Claire's clinical skills and compassionate ways are called upon every day. Animals are still a big part of her life, as well as music. She is also continuing her education in a Masters program as well.

Happy Birthday, Claire, and may you have 86 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, Andy!

Dear Hearts,

July 2nd is the birthday of Andrew William Bornhop: son of Rod Sr. and Mary Louise; brother of Barbara, Gretchen, Mary, Rodney and Rosie; husband of me (the luckiest girl in the world); father of John, Andrew and Thomas; father-in-law of Misty; nephew, cousin, in-law, uncle and friend to scores more lucky folks. Andy adds a new title this year as grandfather of Emmett James!

Happily, Andy retired this year from his work at Kelley Blue Book as a senior editor. As it says in his KBB bio, "He’s been admiring wheeled conveyances since he was kid and has been writing about them professionally since his college days." Cars, motorcycles, bikes, etc. will always be a part of Andy's life, but now he has time to enjoy them for his own purposes.

Retirement has allowed him to take on life at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. We enjoyed a two-week trip to England and Ireland in March and Andy's garden is growing beautifully. He plans to harvest his potato crop on his birthday. A few pests keep him on his toes protecting the tomatoes, radishes, carrots, beans, peppers, potatoes and herbs.

Andy's genuine and constant curiosity draws him in to conversations with folks from all walks of life. Not only does this characteristic make for a gifted journalist, but also an excellent trivia partner! Music remains a big part of his life too--live, recorded or anyway he can get it.

Andy's faith is an inspiration and his work ethic a terrific example to others. Combine that with his lovely humility and you can understand why I fell in love with him instantly in 1987.

Happy Birthday, Andy-roo, 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.

I love you, Patty