
Team, it’s Bob — Mad’s older brother. Today, I invited Maryann, Mad’s older sister, to join me in writing to you because this is a special day: 🎉 it’s Mad’s birthday 🎉
Our sister has been everywhere all at once this year, showing up for her constituents, attending rallies and protests, fighting in Congress and working on the ground for local orgs and races. Not to mention all of her work on the Appropriations Committee while actively campaigning. AND being a great mom and grandmother (and sister). In our eyes, our sister is truly a superhero — and that’s why we want to make today extra special.
We believe Bill flagged for you earlier this week that we made a special card that you can sign, leave a personal message, and share your support.
Birthdays were central to our Dean family traditions. They were special, no matter if you were the first child or the last of seven like Madeleine – our parents made sure it was your day and no detail from cake to location to invite list was overlooked.
I (Maryann) am currently curating our family photos into a shared Google Drive. Most of the photos are the ones you expect like the Easter shots, all of us lined up by age order, my sister and I in matching pink or purple colored dresses and special hats, my brothers in Navy Blue suits. There are seven of us, all of us standing at attention, not a smile in the bunch trapped in our “fancy” clothes.
But the birthday collection is a welcome bright spot, everyone is smiling and in the moment. The details we mentioned above in full effect: The homemade chocolate cake, lit candles in the center. A big dinner prepared by my mother and grandmother. I laugh now at childhood anxieties about birthday wishes coming true. Now I realize nothing could be better than those Dean birthdays.
Looking at our family photos, we’re pulled into each one, we hear them - the laughter, the different voices, the love.
Our hope is this birthday card has the same magic for Mad. With each birthday message, she is brought back to that special birthday feeling. The one our parents did such a good job cultivating in our youth.
Thanks for making this day even more special for my sister.
Bob & Maryann
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