Today is an extra special day for me and I’m sure for others in my family as well.  It’s October 8^th, which marks my cousin Donna’s birthday.  Donna and I shared our birthdays every year for as long as I can remember.  Our birthdays are exactly one month apart. I always thought of her as the sister I never had not knowing many years later that I did indeed have a sister – but that’s another story!

Every year on our birthdays, we would call each other.  Donna would brag that she was the oldest and I should respect my elders; I reminded her that I was younger and always would be, and she should pave the way for me!  It was always a wonderful chat as we may not talk throughout the rest of the year, and I looked forward to it because within one month we would get to catch up twice. I did miss making a call one year, and trust me, she never let me forget it!

Donna passed away three years’ ago from a long, fought battle with cancer on October 26^th.  I was able to call on her birthday before her passing.  The call was short and sweet, and it was treasured as I knew it would probably be our last birthday chat for a long time.

Donna was always a very giving person during her lifetime, keeping everyone in her thoughts.  Whether it be a good or hard time in my life, she always had a thoughtful way of reaching out to let me know she was always there.

Now, even three years after her passing, she is still reaching out and giving.  I have been very blessed by being able to do this blog and video interviews with family members.  It gives me the chance to get to know everyone a little bit more than I already did, and I look forward to doing many more interviews in the future.

I want to thank Donna for her thoughtful contribution and donation to the We Are Family Briggs blog, encouraging me to keep it going.  I hope to do this for a long time, and I hope that it will be in the family records for even longer.

Happy birthday, Donna!  I miss our chats. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers especially on this day as I said happy birthday to you the past two years. You will always hold a special place in my heart.  Now I can say I didn’t miss a year wishing you a happy birthday thanks to this blog! 

Thank you, dear cousin, Love Vicky