Wow, another year has gone by. But as long as my health is good, I am happy.

I was three and a half years old when I was adopted by the most wonderful parents in the world. My mom got me when I was “a mess,” having lived in extreme poverty.

She used lots of vinegar, washing my hair constantly to kill the lice boils and so much more.

Also I was in the news media more or less, with headlines like “Great American tragedy.” I was a celebrity! My family worried I would not eat because I was so malnourished. Eventually, I ate. Mom was a great cook

This is why I love my birthday every year, to celebrate how lucky (or whatever you call it) I am that I had a mom and dad to love me. That’s the greatest gift ever — the gift of love.

I try to do as much as I can every minute, hour, day, month, year to appreciate what I have.

Look at you! If you wish for me to write and wish you a happy birthday, I would love to do it. Your day is the day you were special, coming into this world. Happy birthday to all of us!

Remember to love, take care of yourself, show kindness to yourself and others. It will come back to you.