Diane's 35th birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Dearest Sweetie,

It's been a hard year. Time after time people come up to me and ask: "How is Diane?" and I tell them, and then they get these wonderful ideas, especially my dad, "Oh, did she try botox? Have they found a Cure?" and Beki: "what remedies is she trying?"

There are no easy answers.

But there's you. Every day I see you struggle, and every day, you don't always win, but you are always there, and you always get done what needs to be done, and you take care of yourself, and you take care of us.

It's not fair. You are an outgoing, witty, vivacious, expressive person, and this disease doesn't let you smile, or ask the screen: "Okay, what's happening here?"

But it does let you rely on us to buy the wine at Wegman's, and to buy you pizzas at Costco, and to buy you Banh mí at DC Sandwich shop, right next to Pho 75, and to buy you A&Js to assuage you when you pick me up from the airport on my return from Vermont.

This year hasn't been an easy year, but it's been a happy one, because you've united yourself with the Suffering Christ, and you have us, who love you, day after day after year after year.

Also, Elena Marie says she needs more hugs, and Li'l Iz is ready to take another turn about the parking lot. Our kids are all grown, and it's all thanks to your firm, loving, guiding hand.

Happy Birthday.