HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRISTAN!

Today is the 22nd birthday of my oldest child, Tristan. I wish that I could give her a big birthday hug, but that pleasure will have to be deferred.

Tristan is a senior at the University of Indianapolis. She will graduate on Derby Day, with dual degrees in communications and religious studies. She also has a minor in English. She plans to attend law school next year.

Tristan has attended U-Indy, as they call it, on a scholarship for being on the university's competetive speech team. She is currently in Georgia for her team's national competetion.

It would be an extreme understatement to say that I am proud of Tristan. "Teej," "Trist-Mist" and "My little Pebbley-Poo" are some of my favorite nicknames for her. She is a warm, energetic and thoughtful person. Just to think of her, or to mention her name, causes me to smile. I wish her the happiest of birthdays, across the miles.