Lucky Dorito

I can only hope and pray that you have a spectacular day, this 23rd celebration of your birth – and that Tropical Storm Fay hasn’t made your first week in southern Florida too yucky.

When I think back over the years, I am reminded of the days when Little Foot, Duckie, Sarah and Petrey were your best friends. You were so young and precious…. always playing quietly – making your dinosaurs have entire adventures across the living room floor. It is kind of amusing to watch your little sister Luby share in your love of dinosaurs all these years later.

I remember those two box turtles that we foraged for worms for out in the apartment complex grassy areas. How in the world you talked me into raising turtles is beyond me! I still laugh at the mental image of myself, out in my hooded rain coat in the wee hours of the morning, when daylight was just beginning to break – outside to pick up wayward worms crossing the pavement before they headed for the cover of grass in the daylight – or worse, ended up crusty dried critters when the hot sun hit them! After several years of the turtles, the little suckers grew on me. I started to enjoy them as much as you did… especially since we couldn’t have any other pets at the time. It sure was heartbreaking when the *incident* occurred. (You do remember the *incident*, right?)

I also love to remember the years of little league baseball and then later, girls’ fast pitch softball. How fun it was the year you were the ONLY kid, girl or boy, to hit the ball out of the park! There are other parents that still remember that and mention it when reminiscing about *the good old days*. You were a spectacular athlete – a talent you obviously acquired from your dad’s side of the family… Lord knows I still duck and cover my head when I see a ball coming my way!

And then – the marching band years. The fantastic writing years. The artistic creative years. Oh, and lest we forget… the X-Files years. Scully and Mulder became like two extra persons in the house … we often seemed to refer to them as if they might stop by for dinner or just to chat. Just as real as anything. I still have to smile when I think of those notebooks you had, with each episode title and a brief synopsis of it all written out in detail. And the VHS tapes of EACH episode. My, oh my… what a bunch of those you accumulated over the years. I loved them too (maybe not as much as you… but love, nonetheless) and so wish you were here to see the new movie with me. (It might be like the whole Matrix thing – might need you to explain it to me. Repeatedly. Until I get it. Or… like the Matrix thing, even if I don’t.) How I wish I was kidding about that.

Anyway, dear girl… you’ve lived an interesting life so far – with so much more ahead of you. You’ve learned to rise above the things that could have held you back – and for that, I am most proud of you. I love you to the stars and back. You are full of talent and heart… I look forward to seeing what this year (and many more) has in store for you. Happy happy Birthday Suki!

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