Happy Birthday Patty

Patty, everywhere i look, i see your beautiful fingerprints,
on your beautiful family
on the website to honor dad
on mom's forehead as you helped her cross the
ocean on that long, long flight
on her back as you helped her through the longer journey
of dad's illness
on the smiling face of Richard Mee
on his smiling family, listening to you describe him
on Frankie's smiling face on the front porch
on Malcolm's face as he described his renewed sense of
dedication to his research
on the faces of all the shopkeepers in the dig-zone
on the faces of parents and teachers
at The Roosevelt School
on the faces of truman and the peacock
on the hearts of all the Italians who fell
in love with you one summer
on my program guide
on your governor's brain and heart
on all your clients fabulous work

and i know....i am leaving
out sooo many other things...

but the message is the same.
you've spent so much time loving and
helping others. you are a mighty light
and a blessing to all of us who know you.
your example reminds us of what we could
and should be doing for others.

enjoy, celebrate, revel in your birthday.
you bring joy to SO many people and nothing
would make them happier than to see you
smiling on your birthday. With great love
and admiration, barbara.