Yesterday we celebrated Louise’s (my mother) 90th birthday. Around 50 family members convened in Laguna Niguel for a combination family reunion / birthday party. Louise, who is a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt and great-great aunt was, in her usual humble way, overwhelmed by the turn out. Family came from as far away as Oregon, Colorado and Michigan just to honor her. 

I want to thank all of you who came out to share in the festivities. The love and respect means so much to my sister and me. To those who couldn’t or didn’t make the party you were all missed. Our family, like all families, has had conflicts and disagreements over the years. Times like this should bring families together together not accentuate the differences, Then there are those who could not make the journey. To those we send our love and concern. 

Louise is the last of her siblings to be celebrating birthdays. How lucky we all are to be part of this woman’s life. She has outlived all her sisters and her brother, proving to all that growing old gracefully is still a possibility in this world of a “in your face” crassness that permeates society. 

Whatever your relationship to Louise, you can’t help but love her.