Happy Birthday, Lucy!

Lucy Clowers and I have a lot in common. Not only am I her proud grandfather, she and I are the only two members of our extended family to be named for movie actors. The "R" in my name is for Ronald, and my mother tells me that she named me after Ronald Reagan (long before he sought any political office), because she thought he was "dreamy". Lucy's mom, my daughter Erica, has been a loyal and avid fan of Lucille Ball since she was a little girl, so when she had her first daughter, she named her Lucy (but I call her "Miss McGillicudy").

Today is Lucy's 10th birthday, and she had planned to celebrate it with a sleep-over with friends last night, followed by a day at Six Flags today. Unfortunately, those plans are having to be postponed, because Lucy has developed an ear infection. Hopefully, she will get to celebrate with her friends in a couple of weeks.

Quiet and unassuming, Lucy carries a presence that is difficult not to notice and admire, although she tries hard to avoid being the center of attention. She is tall, has long shiny brown hair and has wide, expressive eyes. Frankly, she is beautiful, and she likely will break some hearts as she grows older.

Not only is Lucy physically attractive, she is brilliant. She is a consistent straight-A student in school, and she is a dedicated and talented dancer who, along with her cousin Hayley, has excelled in dance competitions in which her dance school has been involved.

So this is for you, Miss McGillicudy. Happy birthday, and get well soon!

Grandpa