Happy Birthday Anna

Yesterday was the twenty-fourth birthday of one of the great environmentalists of the 21st century. Most parents learn from their children. But generally that has to do with getting along on less sleep, or having less money to spend on luxuries. Anna, on the other hand, taught us more practical lessons. Here are a few:
1. Toddlers should wear their pants below their belly because they feel better there.
2. Grandma has better food (she had white bread and candy).
3. Only Mommy can be your Girl Scout leader.
4. People who wear banana costumes are scary.
5. Sometimes a person's just got to have a cat.
6. Guide Dog puppies and new carpet go together.
7. When you fall in love you accept quirks as part of the package.
8. Graduate school should be undertaken when you have a REASON for it.
9. Logan has some pretty good restaurants and a new Marriott.
10. Love can travel through time, space, and the Internet.

I love my daughter more every day. She has become the kind of person I value as a friend - loving and kind, intelligent and hard working. She is patient with everyone, even me. It's a real pleasure to spend time with her and I miss having her close. I am comforted by the fact that she is successful and happy and by this strange new world of electronic connections that allows us to remain close. Happy birthday, baby.