Saturday, February 7, 2009

"Happy, Happy, Happy" Birthday, Pat!!




February 7th is Mary Patricia (Pat) Scott Rush's birthday. This is one of the special 'zero' birthdays, but I won't say which one.

Pat teaches special education students. She finished her degree after her kids were older and went into teaching. I am sure that she is a wonderful teacher and that she makes a difference in the lives of her students.

On Sunday at the Super Bowl party we were at, I asked Pat what her favorite song was. She said that she really didn't have a favorite song, but that she liked Scott Joplin. Now I have to admit, that one caught me off guard. I knew I had heard his name before, but it certainly wasn't a familiar one to me. I was able to find quite a bit of his music and I actually recognized the songs when I listened to them. I then did a bit of reading about him. There is actually a Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation. There is even going to be a festival in June in Missouri--so maybe we should go!! I put the song that was most familiar to me on the blog--The Entertainer.

I have written quite a bit about Pat and her family over the last several months. I am sure that this birthday may be a bit difficult for her. One night a few weeks ago, I was over at her house when she asked me to read the obituary that the family had written for Phil for the Arizona Republic. When I read it, I was so touched that she included me as one of Phil's survivors. I didn't tell her that night, so I am telling her now. Pat, that meant more than you can ever know.

In the post I did for Yaya's birthday, I said that Pat is Yaya's much younger sister--that's my birthday present to you, Pat. It is true though, as she is younger than Yaya.

Pat is a very strong person and I very much admire her strength. She is one of those "salt of the earth" people who can always be depended upon for anything.

Pat, Phil and their family lived in many places through the years. They came back to Arizona in 1989 when Phil retired. I am so glad that they have lived here and that she has been such a big part of my life. She is a wonderful human being and I am proud to call her "cuz." She is much more than a cousin, though!!

So, Pat, hope your birthday is "happy, happy, happy!"

8 remarks:

Carol Dunton said...

Sheila, please pass a 'Happy Birthday!' wish along to Pat for me!
C

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Mom. Hope that you have a good day. Thanks Sheila for posting this about my mom. shawna

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Aunt Pat!!! You are such a wonderful woman and a wonderful aunt!
My earliest memory of Aunt Pat is when she and Mike and some of the Henderson's came to visit us in Turlock. I can remember driving with them through my small town and Michael asking where were all the skyscrapers in T-town, ha! I also remember visiting Phoenix and my brother Nathan and I would go to Aunt Pat's to swim and play and we always had some of the BEST meals, even at lunch time! Uncle Phil or Aunt Pat would cook something delicious and made sure we got seconds :) And we never got in trouble for staying up really late and being noisy with all the cousins at their house :) Thanks for putting up with us Aunt Pat! hehe! Love you! And again, "Happy, happy, happy" Birthday ;) Love, Maggie

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Pat! Love your younger sister, Yaya. (P.s. Don't believe everything Sheila says.)P.p.s. Sheila lies.)

Cheela said...

Now why would I ever lie about any of this. Haven't you ever heard of "believing everything you read?"

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with YaYa, my mom makes up stories all the time. Much younger? More like 2 years and 2 days - as Teresa can attest as she was present for both babies being "borned".

Happy birthday, Pat. I hope you know how much we love you and appreciate you. You really are the backbone of your family - the children you've raised (along with Phil) are exceptional and you have every right to brag and be absolutely proud of them.

Kerri

Meags said...

Cheela, You are so blessed to have so many family celebrations. Your family truly embraces the love and joy of life. Thanks for always sharing.

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