Today is the birthday of my middle daughter, Elizabeth.

Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of working with Liz at Story Circle Network where she is the program director. This has been quite a treat since our skill sets are a bit different. I’m happy to be the front person while she prefers behind-the-scenes work. I’m also a big-picture person while she’s a great detail person. (Well, truth be told, she’s also very good at the big picture.) The bottom line is that it’s been a lot of fun working together for SCN, whose mission is to encourage all women to tell their stories. I feel very lucky that she’s been by my side during my tenure as president. I’ll be stepping down in June and Liz will be a valuable asset to our new president, who is someone who Liz and I love very much. So, all is well in that department.

This morning, Ron made a special birthday breakfast for Liz, and Ray and I were invited. We had a sunny-side-up egg over yogurt, which was unexpectedly tasty. We also had both a savory and sweet homemade Dutch pastry, which was delicious. Liz found the recipe and Ron made it for her. He is quite a chef.

As one of our gifts, we told Liz and Ron that we’d babysit one-year-old Ethan this evening so they could go to dinner. They both looked extremely excited at the prospect of an evening out without their constant companion.

Ethan is still Covid positive so we wore our masks while he was visiting. He appears to feel just fine, however, which was made clear by his constant motion. Up on the couch, down on the floor, toddle to and fro, then up on the couch, down on the floor, more toddling. Repeat, repeat, repeat. A little constant motion machine. A very cute little character who was very pleased that Grandpa put on “Miss Rachel’s Show,” which is part of his slowing down routine in the evening. We sang along to dozens of songs, all very familiar, and then also enjoyed learning about animals on the farm and animals in the zoo. We also counted, named colors, and practiced words and peek-a-boo. Lest you scoff, Ms. Rachel started with a hundred thousand dollars and is now worth quite a few million. She does a very good job on YouTube with a very simple concept. Smart woman.

Liz and Ron just returned and said they had a good time eating at a local Japanese restaurant. They also looked happy to see their little buddy. Ethan was happy to see them too, but then cried when Grandpa tried to give him back to Liz. Grandpa and Ethan are becoming great buddies.

I love you, Liz, and wish you a wonderful upcoming year. I am so happy to have you as a daughter. As my mom used to say to me, “I’d like you even if you weren’t related to me.” That is exactly how I feel about you.

Here’s to a healthy, happy, and peace-filled year.

Big hugs, honey.

Liz with Ethan a few months back.

Ethan and Grandma watching Miss Rachel’s show, along with Cordelia and Frankie