Doug to Colleen on her 66th birthday

No you're not getting older, just more beautifuller in all your ravishing, curvaceous wifeyness and grandmahood, a tribute to your wild Irish smileification that radiates from all your well hidden grays and ample fingernails, as you rule and reign over your humble henshed as queen of the roost trying to keep your many chicklings under your wings with love and laughter while protecting them from whatever lurks behind every stray street sign and humongeous boulder, and all with a song in your heart! What a dame! So get all your kicks en route to "66", where we met in '69, remember yellow rose? Hope you enjoyed the Prairie Home Companion, the TGI Friday's and the peaceful drive through snowy Provo canyon to Heber Valley for some "Breadstix!"

Your Douglasness com felicidades e amor!

Another Birthday

Strange, this aging thing, when I was 15 I could barely wait until I was 16. When I was 20, 21 couldn't come fast enough. It sort of stopped there - the excitement, I mean. Now, as of Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, I have hit 66. While that is and always will be 10 months younger than my older cousin Susan, it still stings. What great things happen to 66 year olds? Mother died at 66 and that didn't seem so great. I miss her still today. I will be getting my first Social Security check next month, that is good, but what it really represents to me is aging.

Why when I was a young thing did the days and years, especially school years, drag by so very slowly? I married my very loving husband, gave birth to 8 outstanding children and now I sit back and see them going through their lives. I ache for those who ache. I rejoice for those who have had occasion to rejoice, but the common, deep feeling is one of love for each of my family members and overwhelming concern for their happiness and peace. Grandchildren bless me. In-law spouses bless me, and even my brothers and sisters bless me with their kind thoughts and love.

Yesterday, though I was coughing and experiencing lingering laryngitis, I got to talk to each of my children. Doug made me a most delicious breakfast-in-bed (actually I was more comfortably sitting in a big leather chair), Erin and Sharon deep-cleaned the kitchen, grandchildren sang and expressed birthday wishes, the Curran-Tucker group brought flowers and a funny singing balloon, Quinn called from Arizona, Shane from Pleasant Grove, Caitilin and family from Huntersville, N.C., Conn and Sean gave me unbelievably wonderful hugs and expressions of love, Shannon called from Lehi and Doug gave me a perfect drive in the canyon followed by a fantastic late lunch. The day was perfect except that I still wasn't feeling well.

Susan sent a crazy card, fantastic hot chocolate, a funny mug and note pad; Eileen and Kathleen called. I love my sisters and my dear cousin Susan. I am one lucky lady to turn 66 and be the recipient of so much love. At least Susan will always be older...those ten months really add up when you get to our age.