Monday, May 29, 2006

5/29 Uncommon courage brought me my daughter

Amazing, on the night before my daughter's birthday, I should hear about Betty Tisdale again. She's the hero, the saint, the angel, who brought Jill from An Lac Orphanage in Vietnam many years ago. She was on Dateline last night. I wasn't watching it. I was watching a taped episode of Alias, and when I stopped it, there was Betty. A face from the past. A friend from the past.

She's one of the people who taught me I can change the world. Read an entry from a past blog, about Jill's favorite bedtime story. The story of how I met Jill and immediately fell in love with her.

Today, my darling Jill is 32. Legally at least. Because of her adventures getting out of Vietnam as an infant, we know she's actually a few months younger. We didn't want to make waves and get her birth certificate changed, so she kept May 29th as her birthday.

Betty Tisdale remains my hero. My daughter, Jill Hong, remains my dearest, sweetest, precious one. Happy birthday, darling. What a gift you are!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometimes out of tragedy, true beauty can immerge. Can any of us imagine our lives without Jill? Unthinkable. Whether it be the heroic deeds of Ms. Tisdale, or the love of a mother that brought Jill into our lives, we should all feel blessed for it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL, You've had an amazing journey so far!

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

You are so right, Cindy.

Jill and Todd said...

Thanks mom and Aunt Cindy. I'm having a great birthday already. I got to sleep in until 8:30 a.m. AMAZING!!!! When I got up, Todd made me coffee. Life is good.

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

Sounds like the height of luxury when you have two small children. :) Enjoy your special day, hon. Hope to talk to you later...

anne frasier said...

aw, that's lovely, jer. :)

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

It was a wonderful time of my life. And I got a great "present" from it. :)

Beata said...

Mom, thank you for getting me the best Sis in the world! :-) Jill, again--Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

With all of life's daily tasks and worries, it's easy for me to forget sometimes just how fortunate I am. So many people--heroes for sure--have contributed to and bettered my life. Betty Tisdale is certainly one of them. You're right, Aunt Cindy.

I wonder how many Thanksgivings have gone by without me giving her so much as a thought. It's important for me to remember all those who played a part--large and small--in giving me my wonderful sister, Jill.

Guess it's time to Google and do some catching up on Ms. Tisdale. Happy Birthday, Jill. Good job, mom. Thank you, Betty Tisdale.

Love you all!
Rob

Joe said...

HI Jill
I hope you had a great birthday.
sorry I want to thank Betty Crocker
Love you

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

Thanks, Rob and Beata. And to you too, silly Joe.

Anonymous said...

Jill,
Uncle Jim and I wish you the happiest birthday ever. You are such a wonderful young woman and we are proud of you. Let your fantastic husband and children spoil you rotten and enjoy your day.
Love Aunt Karen

decade5 said...

Wow, not only the same name, but the same age, too. Happy birthday, Jill!

-Jill

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

Jill S, I didn't know you were the same age as my Jill. That's very cool. Thanks for stopping by.

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

Karen, Jill went out for sushi last night. She said the kids love it too. Hunter is nuts for California rolls. That could get to be an expensive habit. :)

Jeff said...

Very nice, Jer. :)

Anonymous said...

I can't believe the kids like sushi! That is so cool, they have very broad horizons! My folks always wanted me to at least try something before I decided I didn't like it. Never did acquire a taste for sushi though. That is perhaps one of the few expensive habits that I didn't pick up!

Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...

I love watching kids eating something new for the first time. I remember Kayla eating a huge dill pickle at St. Louis Bread Company in St. Louis. She made faces the whole time but ate it anyway. So cute.