Happy Birthday, Youngest!

Julia turns 17 today (technically in the middle of the night's early morning hours last night) and I always hope for special happinesses on my children's' birthdays. In her case, today, a jacket I ordered for her arrived a few days ahead of schedule at her boarding school this afternoon.

She's out for pizza with friends tonight. Her Mom, 19-year-old brother and I are headed up there to take her to dinner on Friday night.

There are so many emotions wrapped up in transitions like birthdays, for most of us. Right now, I just feel proud of her. Here is a photo of one night four years ago, when she was able to calm down a troubled niece, Sophia, when we were babysitting her.

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