Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Bundle from Heaven

This weekend, I celebrated another birthday. It is always good to be around to celebrate your birthday. I was blessed to spend this birthday with my family. My only regret is that my mom lives several hundred miles away and we could not be together. However, thank God for the telephone. And thank God for my siblings (and their families) who called and left birthday greetings. I love your singing!

The picture above was taken shortly after my birth. You can tell that was a few years ago because the picture is in black & white and that is because that was the only choice at the time. I have a couple more from the same session but I think this one actually looks like me!

I was the first born of the 12 children that my parents gave the world. My mother was 25 when I was born; my father was a printer for Judson Printing Company.  My entire family was born at St. John Hospital in Cleveland.

One of my most prized possessions is from my maternal grandmother. It is the announcement from my parents that they are expecting their first child (see below). Can you imagine the excitement and anticipation?
And then I arrived. I joke that either my parents were so pleased with their result (me) that they couldn't get enough (and had to settle for 12) or they figured they could do better and kept trying. In any case, I think they did a good job and I am delighted and honored to be part of such an interesting family. Thank you.