By Words and Music.....

Her five year old face betrayed inner thoughts at the dinner table that night. Dad gently inquired about the source of such sadness. So began a story that has become a minor legend in our family. It seems that there was a fetching young man in her Kindergarten class whom she wanted to claim as a friend. Proceeding to write him a note, she soon learned that he couldn't read. As a person largely defined by words, deftly mastering reading before she turned two, the classmate's unlettered status caused her considerable confusion and frustration. To Caitlin, reading is an elixir while writing provides the nectar which sweetens all of life's experiences.



We are reflective as Caitlin's 29th birthday approaches. The decade has brought her much to treasure, most significantly adorable Bobby. Travel adventures continue to unfold, manifesting a favorite saying of my mother's, "She has one foot in the road." The presence of dearest friends enhance her days exponentially. Roller derby is now history but once, my goodness, it permeated her spirit. Portland is the perfect place to be planted, even with its weepy winters.

Caitlin is a young woman whose courage, loyalty, curiosity, energy, intelligence, compassion and humor define her character. She consistently makes us proud and humbled to be her parents.



Among the things Caitlin loves: music, movies, books, trivia, kitties Georgia and Enid, Ice Cube, burritos, white wine (maybe also red), cider from other countries (preferably smuggled in), breakfast, clothes, Sweden, New York, cousins, swimming and sunshine, almost anything purple, purses from Queen Bee, tiaras, In 'n' Out, birthdays, roller coasters, unicorns, shoes, jewelry, polka dots and stripes (not worn together), karaoke, cupcakes, frozen yogurt, 'fakin' bacon, unturkey sandwiches, black and white cookies, being vegetarian, The South (and speaking Southern).



Throughout Caitlin's life, music has soothed difficult moments and also allowed her to soar as she watched or listened to artists who seemed to speak directly to her. With an impressive accumulation of musical knowledge, she's crafted cogently written concert reviews. Her eclectic playlist includes Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash as well as Sleater-Kinney and The Givers, among so many others.

As a young adult, she's embracing her Southern self while utilizing the Yankee component with its emphasis on personal independence and integrity, tempered with music. Having parents from two very divergent sections of the country helped create an endlessly fascinating daughter.

Caitlin has taught me many things in my years as her mom. I believe I'm more respectful of the environment. I have expanded my somewhat limited ability to exhibit patience. I'm learning not to ask too many questions, to curtail my natural inclination to suggest ...... I also now know that sleep is ephemeral and that even when it is interrupted countless times, survival is absolutely certain. (Twenty-nine years ago I would not have believed that statement.) Most of all, Caitlin touches my heart every single day and just thinking of her makes me smile uncontrollably. She is both words and music.



Happy Birthday!!