Happy Birthday, Aloise!

This is probably the last birthday you'll be spending at home for a long time; that's been ingrained in my head for days and days. Why is this? I mean, most of the kids have already spent their last birthdays at home and that went mostly unnoticed - for me.

It's probably because you are one of the last eaglets to leave - and one of the youngest. And I know you're going to leave. And when you do leave next year, it's going to be soooo far away.

But, gosh. You're 23. (Who would have thought that Jimmy would ever be 23?)

Leaving the nest and flying away is not unusual for 23.

At least I'm confident that your flight will be happy and fulfilling. Your new life. And I am so excited for you!

But gosh. Sometimes I wish you were Jimmy again.

xxx Mom