Happy Birthday, Kari!

Wednesday, October 29th, is Kari's birthday. What a fabulous daughter I have (one of two). As most of you who are reading this know, she is a great friend and supporter. She is loyal to a fault and loves without reservation. I often say that I didn't raise her, I couldn't possibly have done such a great job. But I did enjoy having her grow up in my home. Whatever faults she has are so outnumbered by her good points that they are easy to overlook.

Question. How can you possibly have 3 children, all born pre-mature, one not surviving, and still have such a positive attitude about life?

And that is just one question I could ask about her. My two daughters are my heros (okay, heroines). Each of them has succeeded in life in such amazing ways. Kari has struggled with abnormal births, death, countless days in the NICU, moving from Oklahoma to Illinois, to Oklahoma, to Denver to St. Louis. Still she smiles, laughs, loves and overall, just enjoy enjoys life -- and causes others to enjoy life, too.

Should I mention raising two girls who are just 14 months apart and full of life and energy? You could almost be jealous of Olivia and Ava for getting to have such a wonderful mother all to yourself.

She deserves a great day, a great month! And a happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Kari, from your loving and totally smitten Dad! May your next xx years be even more wonderful and rewarding.