Happy Birthday to...

23 years ago today one of the most wonderful and spectacular people that I know was born. On June 24, 1981 Darlene went to work on Capitol Hill as usual. She was eight months pregnant and had a baby due on "July 24th" It was around 9:15 am she had justgotten settled in at her desk and she had to go to the bathroom so she went but something was wrong, she couldn't stop going. So she called her boss and told her and she said I think your water broke "but it can't be I'm not due until July" Darlene said. But it was true Darlene had gone into labor. So she called her husband James on the phone and he said stop playing and hung up. So she called him back and he said "Darlene it's too early to be playing games" but he came to realize she was telling the truth. Darlene's boss threw in her in the car and drove her to Cheverly Medical Center where James was waiting for her. When the doctors checked her she was a few centimeters dialated and was ready to be checked in. After a long and laborious day Darlene had a baby girl. At 6:39 p.m. on Wednesday June 24th. She named this six pound eleven ounces bundle of joy "Christen Nicole" which means "Christ in Me" and "victory for the people." A name that is quite fitting for a child that was destined for success....

SO I'm sure you all are wondering why I am telling this story about some girl named Christen and how she's wonderful and great and beautiful and intelligent and witty and eccentric and just fantabulous (fantastic and fabulous for those who don't know). Well it's because I love her and growing up her mom Darlene would tell her that "the only person that your birthday is really important to is yourself, so what you do on that day, and not what others do for you should be important. Spend that day celebrating your self and recognizing who you are and what a blessing it is to have lived another year."

So that is what I am doing. I am celebrating Christen today. Christen is treating herself to lunch and shopping and then is having dinner on he waterfront with the people that she loves the most (her family).

So Happy Birthday to Christen Nicole if noone else loves you remember I do... well isn't it importantto love yourself :-)