Here's the thing: I usually let Julie do the birthday posts. Why? Because she is so good at understanding and articulating the spirits of the people she loves. That's one of her many gifts--she's so good at seeing, loving and celebrating the very best in people, especially when they can't see it themselves. And so I can only attempt to see and love and celebrate all that she is: brilliant thinker, beloved teacher, secret artist, spirit guide, best friend, life companion, embarrassingly talented chef, natural athlete, silver addict, sunflower, sister, daughter, niece, almost-auntie and godmother (ask Morgan, her goddaughter in the picture above, who gave Julie that rather stunning piece of postmodern mask art). And also, it's no secret that she was very much a mother figure for me, growing up, and she was always my greatest champion, no matter what dramas I was facing at school. I feel like much of my character was forged in those long-distance phone calls to Duke, when she was in college and I was in third or fourth grade. So I think "mother" is appropriate too :)
Happy birthday, beloved eldest! --MCB