Post-Birthday Update

My birthday was last Thursday, April 21st, and I was very touched to receive so many emails, facebook messages, and phone calls, from both family and friends, and some from you, my wonderful readers from around the world.  Thank you all.  I am so grateful and blessed to have you all in my life. 

I received the following email from my oldest brother, Paul, who lives in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific.  It's obviously very, very far away from my suburban Chicago village, so we are not able to see each other often.  Paul is a one-of-a-kind type of person, although one who most people will never be lucky enough to meet.  Not only because Paul is so far away on one of the remote islands of Tonga, but he is a free spirit, likes the solitude of being in the middle of the ocean with his lovely family, and has a private side that makes you want to know him more, but he won't let just anyone in.  Paul is intelligent, caring, and grumpy without his coffee.  He is a loving husband and father to three beautiful girls.  He is an avid ham radio operator, which is a dying art form, but it keeps him in touch with people all over the world from his little island paradise.  Paul is also a writer, although we can't seem to coax him into publishing a book.  His writings about Tongan life from the perspective of an American are fascinating - and I mean fascinating enough to be made into a Hollywood movie, although Paul would chuckle at the thought of that.  Anyway, I will let you all see a little bit of my brother Paul in the following email.  He is a most special man who I love dearly.

21 April 2011


Debbie....Know this: You are special to me, and I love you.

Happy Birthday to you!

I remember the day you were born. Dad woke Alan and I up

early and told us that you were born. We drove to Elmhurst

Hospital and we saw Mom waving to us from her hospital

window.

We didn't see you until the next day, but on the day that you

were born, I wore an "It's a Girl" badge to school...1st grade...

Mrs Craney's class, Lincoln school.

Jeez oh dear....Time sure flies!

Love,

Paul