Happy birthday, Norma Jean

This beautiful little girl is having a birthday today, but it's been a few years since this picture was taken of her. She's no longer a little girl wishing for her two front teeth, but is now a mother and grandmother. This is my sister Norma Jean, wearing her amazingly uneven bangs and a corduroy coat and hat made by Mama, who was much better at sewing than cutting bangs.

She is currently in Michigan visiting her son Peter, spending some valuable time with him, along with her sweet little dog. As a recent widow, she's finding her own way into the world, and I spend some time every week talking with her and finding out how she's doing. These talks are as important to me as they are to her, and we both have our crying hankies that we use often.

My sincere wish for her 67th year is that she find her own authentic way through all the grief and pain of the past, and that she emerges on the other side of it all, filled with happiness and contentment. I love you, Norma Jean.