Today also is my Great-Aunt Maude’s birthday. She said that when my dad was born she thought he was a birthday present for her. I think that’s such a nice way to look at things. So many others would have resented sharing their own special day with someone else. But that’s why Aunt Maude is so special — because she does genuinely feel that way.

Aunt Maude and I haven’t actually met, but she periodically sends me emails and keeps me in the loop on what’s going on in her life. I, sadly, am less faithful in my correspondence, but whenever I do write she seems so delighted to hear from me that I mean to write more (even if I fail with frustrating regularity to follow through).

So, please send a thought down the Carolina way to my Aunt Maude and wish her a truly happy birthday.