Happy Birthday, Dorothy!

This week my aunt Dorothy would have turned 59.

When Dorothy was born with Down's Syndrome Grandma thought,
"I'll never be happy again." 

After admitting that to us at age 90, she next said,
"Was I ever wrong!"

As her name signifies, Dorothy was truly a "gift from God." 

She was a joy to the whole family and had friends everywhere.

Dorothy LOVED birthdays! 

 

It didn't even have to be her own to be exciting.

Little Me waiting for cake with Dorothy

Even in her older, more solemn years, Dorothy sparked up whenever we sang "Happy Birthday" and patiently waited by her cake until family gathered to celebrate.

If you will pardon the low quality "photos of photos," here are some more special peeks into her life.

Dorothy and her dad

Dorothy at the school blackboard. She loved to draw circles.

Mrs. M. was a wonderful, caring teacher to this group of children.

Dorothy even got to be Mary in the Christmas play at her public school.

Before enjoying my piano, Dorothy was enthralled with her brother's playing.
Gretel, the dachshund, was a special gift.

Dorothy and my Dad

For more recent photos, see this post.