June Celebrations

Our family is celebrating four special days this month: one wedding anniversary, two birthdays, and one Father’s Day with three honorees. Thirty years ago we hosted “Fiesta Grande” at our home in Arlington, Virginia. It was a big backyard party to mark those milestones, as well as David’s high school graduation. Some pictured above are no longer with us, but two spouses and five grandchildren have garnered new places in our hearts. Seven years ago, I wrote about these June days (highlighted below in blue). Now it’s time to update my tributes with fresh facts and photos.

June 10 – Happy Birthday, Shelby!  You are our family’s only lawyer, awesome photographer, and wonderful mother of our grandsons, Stephen and Thomas. Recently, you have added successful home remodeling to your resumé and are making many friends in your new Dallas neighborhood, not far from our family’s Texas roots. Congratulations on combining career and motherhood so happily. 2021 update:  All of the above is still true, but now you live in Austin and work for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Thomas is now 10-1/2 and Stephen, 13-1/2. Here you are with Sean and Stephen last Christmas in Florida.

June 12 – My father, William Davis Kirkpatrick was born on this date in 1902. Though he died 51 years ago, he lives in my heart forever.

June 15 – Happy Birthday, Lilli! You are our family’s only architect, awesome biker, and terrific mother of our granddaughter Violet. You have been in your new house a year now and not surprisingly, it is a magnet for young children. You show admirable patience and creativity with all people. Probably the best-traveled of us all, you excel at making and keeping friends. 2021 update: Clifton Street has been your home for eight years now, a vibrant pandemic refuge. For your special “L” birthday, you have invited your family to celebrate with you in Cambridge over the Fourth of July weekend and then go with you for Lilli-Time at Wentworth-by-the-Sea in New Hampshire. Here’s a keeper from last Christmas day.
June 20 – Happy Father’s Day to David, Sean and Steve! When I complimented David for embracing fatherhood so enthusiastically. He gestured to Steve and said, “I learned from a master.” 2021 update: He’s still a remarkable and loving father. Last December, David’s own birthday was “Covid-subdued,” but he and Leslie made sure Margot and Nina celebrated theirs in style.

In 2014 I wrote that I had watched Sean introduce his sons to outdoor adventures by day and ease them to sleep by night. Stephen and Thomas are great kids, off to a fine start. I predict they will have the opportunity to become Eagle Scouts like their father. 2021 Update:  Seven years later, Sean continues fathering con brio, as he learned growing up; both boys are active scouts.

🎶 Here’s a celebratory toast to my dear husband, my birthday daughters, and all the devoted fathers in my life! 🎶