Happy birthday to my sweet, funny and witty daughter.
I love this photo of my daughter because it shows her personality. I used to write about her all the time. But she told me to stop it. She said “I’m not your content.”
We used to spend summers in Laguna Beach to escape the high heat of Palm Springs (most days are over 110 degrees and some days reach 125 degrees!) Those are my favorite memories. My husband would be stuck working at home, except for weekends, while I took the kids to play in the waves and sand during the week. My daughter was a little princess and hated to wear a wet suit as a toddler. She’d strip naked as soon as her suit got wet. I brought a bag full of swim suits to keep her comfortable and clothed.
Now she’s a sufficient adult, working and making ends meet. She’s interested in comedy and has taken classes in writing comedy as well as stand up. She’s courageous enough to have performed live on stage in San Francisco. I can’t say how proud I am of her to do that! Talk about taking a leap and getting out of your comfort zone. But maybe it is in her comfort zone?
There’s a sad side to her birthday for her and many of us. A friend she had in college shared the same birthday. I wrote about Lauren McCluskey HERE. I’m now making an annual donation to the foundation her mother set up in Lauren’s memory ever since I found out Lauren and my daughter shared birthdays. Lauren was shot and murdered while talking to her mother on the phone, walking home from night class. There’s a lot more to the story that is really hard.
I am so grateful to have my daughter in my life. I can’t imagine the pain that Lauren’s mother goes through on her birthday and every day.
Here’s a link to the Lauren McCluskey Foundation if you care to make a donation on her birthday. https://laurenmccluskey.org/
Happy birthday to my wonderful daughter! I love her so much.
What are some of your favorite memories of your childhood or when your children were young?
Happy birthday to your wonderful daughter Elizabeth. Lots of good wishes to her and you.
Thank you for your kind birthday wishes!
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Love that second picture, she looks like a real sassy pants!
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Sassy pants! I love that. Yes, she has personality.
A beautiful tribute to your delightful and amazing daughter. Sending big birthday wishes to her. And condolences to Lauren’s family. <3
Thank you, Wynne 💕
Wow, I can’t imagine having the courage to do stand-up comedy. That is really putting oneself out there. Good for her… and happy birthday!
Thank you! Yes, I can’t believe she’s doing stand up. I’m so proud of her.
If she’s doing comedy, I’ll bet she was a real clown growing up. Birthday wishes to your beautiful girl!
She’s always had me laughing. Thank you for the birthday wishes!
A beautiful tribute to your daughter and to her friend too. Performing comedy on stage? Wow, she’s got some courage. Good for her.
Thank you! Yes, I can’t believe my daughter is doing stand up. It’s been something she’s talked about for years, but to actually do it is amazing. I feel so badly for the mom of my daughter’s friend. Lauren would have been 28 today.
Such a horrible thing to experience. We’re supposed to outlive our kids.
Can you imagine being on the phone with her while it happened? I don’t think I could recover. Lauren’s mom sued the school, started a foundation and is making a difference in 400 schools across the country.
She’s making a difference … that’s so inspiring.
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Laguna Beach! To my midwestern sensibilities that sounds so swanky and glamourous. Of course CA in general sounded/still sounds wonderful. I adore your photo of your daughter in her two-piece swimsuit. It’s a classic.
Thank you! I had never been to the beach in California when I met my husband. I grew up north of Seattle. My hubby’s grandfather married a woman when they were in their 70s, who owned two beach houses in Laguna. We got married there and they let us stay in one of their houses for a two week honeymoon. I fell in love with Laguna. My husband’s boss (after we had kids) asked if we wanted to go in on a rental home with them for summers. We divided the summer in half with them to escape the heat. My favorite days of parenting.
Happy birthday to your funny girl! I just prayed for Lauren’s mom.
Thank you for your prayers for Lauren’s mom. What a heartbreaking story. Also, thanks for the birthday wishes to my daughter.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks! 😊
I’m offended that she won’t let herself be Content. Kids these days! 🤣 Haha. I used to blog about my girls so much, but then they left me! Like I said, Kids these days.
Happy birthday to your beautiful, brave and funny girl. That does take an enormous amount of courage to get up on stage and make people laugh. Kudos to her.
So sad to read this story about Lauren. *sigh* life can be so cruel at times. Praying she is eternally dancing in the heavens and that her parents can continue to share her story and find healing.
Thank you. Yes, those kids do grow up and leave us! I’m amazed at my daughter’s bravery. As for Lauren, she went to the campus and city police at least 20 times to say she was being threatened. They ignored her. Her foundation is in 400 schools across the country and bringing recognition to the problem. Her mother has been so strong.