2 for Cathy - Happy Birthday Mom!

Sally:

I love Mom’s spirit and overall zest for life. She has a contagious personality and sense of humor that everyone is drawn to and captivated by. She puts people at ease and makes a point to include everyone. Our new friends in London are already so excited to meet her. I am always SO proud when I talk about my mom. 

I love how mom is always willing to take on a project or listen to an idea. She makes her girls feel like we can do anything, and as I get older, I realize what a rare and special gift that is for us. She is always cheering us (and dad) on in all endeavors, thinking of ways to help, and actively listening. We are SO lucky for such an incredible mom who empowers us to be the best we can be! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Taylor:

Cathy always makes sure there is something for everyone to enjoy at all times. She is an amazing hostess who looks for ways to make others happy. I loved having over a month in Austin last summer. 

My mother-in-law is very supportive of Sal and my dreams and plans. Sometimes I’m amazed how she and Sal have enough to talk about, as much as they talk, but I’m thankful she has that patience and desire to stay in touch.

Emily:

Mom is the type of person that people gravitate towards. She is the most welcoming and fun. This week was a true display of wherever Cathy is, the party follows. Not only do people want to be around her (because she’s the life of the party), but also Mom is always giving 100% effort to make everyone feel at home and welcome. She is always the absolute best host.

I love how Mom is always there for her girls. She is loyal and extremely reliable. I’m so grateful that mom is the type to drop everything and help, but overall I’m grateful that mom is my best friend, and there is not an errand too small that I wouldn’t want to do with mom because she makes everything more fun!

Dad:

Whether she's baking a cake, planting flowers, learning to play golf, running with a friend, or helping a kiddo learn to walk, Cathy goes ALL IN! She has this unique ability to be present and to be fully engaged in everything she does. People see and feel this in Cathy in a way that is inspiring. It makes them want to spend more time with her! There's just 'something about Cathy,' and I'm the luckiest man in the world to get to do life with her!

Family first. Cathy has a strong love for family. She stays connected to her girls and her siblings in a genuine and caring way. With our daughters, it is a special blend of being there for them while encouraging uniqueness and a belief in the good in the world.

Lucy:

I love how hard of a worker mom is. We say it every year, but truly I’ve never seen a woman who can juggle more and do it so positively and with such zeal! Not only does she work 1-3 jobs at a time, but she’s always hosting, planning extravagant weekends for us girls, traveling to see friends and family she loves, painting floors all by herself, cooking every meal for us, etc. She’s crazy! But she knows how to get sh*t done, and it's rooted in wanting to love her daughters/husband/friends/family however she can!

Mom is our best friend, and I am so thankful for it! I am so glad I have gotten ample time at home over the past year to spend with her. Our daily 5-mile Covid walks allowed us to get so close, and we talk about everything! I really do admire her and look up to her so much. She knows how to make everyone feel cared for and special, she is FUN and adventurous, she cares so deeply about her people, and I just hope that I get to be half as amazing as Mom is one day :) I love you, Momma!

Kyle:

Having Cathy here helps me feel like I have another mom at times when I am missing my mom. I’ve said this before but I really mean it and she goes out of her way to make me happy and always treats my family and friends so well.

I respect that Cathy sticks to her Georgia roots after a lifetime of living away from Georgia. I especially appreciate this when it’s brought out in her cooking. Never forget where you came from but always know where you are headed. 

Happy 21st: Two for Lu, plus some other special love notes and photos

Cathy: Well, Lucy, exactly one year ago, the world shut down. You have braved the chaos with grace and courage. Your college experience was interrupted, summer travel canceled, and socialization halted. You handled it all and have even made yourself stronger, healthier, and wiser. That’s what I love about you! 

You are truly a servant to God and to others. Each day you carve out time for personal worship and then give hours of outreach to your Young Life students and teammates. I am amazed by your diligence and love of the Lord. Keep up the good work. He’s watching.

BDPB / gPa / Dad: When I think of 21 years with Lucy, I first feel so blessed that the Lord gave us a third daughter. It was not easy for Cathy, nor were the odds in our favor, but she came to us, and our family was complete. One theme that has held true throughout Lucy's life is that people are drawn to her because of her calm demeanor and a sense of purpose.

If I'm the captain of a team of 'life,' I'm making Lucy May my first pick. She is the definition of a servant-leader. She thinks of others first. She is alert and aware of everything going on and seeks to understand before being understood. She takes time to keep herself grounded and healthy, so she has the energy and love to give to others.

Thanks for being my daughter Lucy May!

Sally: I cannot believe that we have a 21-year-old Goose. I love how Lucy is ALWAYS thinking of others. She is a servant in every sense of the word, and I am so incredibly proud of how she shines her light in the world and treats everyone around her with so much kindness and love. 

I love Lucy’s drive to focus her career on something she is passionate about. She is so focused on her goals and has an incredible amount of wisdom at her age to understand the importance of doing something you love. I am already amazed by the experiences she has sought out and cannot wait to see what the future holds. BIG things ahead for Lucy, no doubt about it!

Taylor: Lucy is good at celebrating others. She consistently celebrates her Young Life students and has stuck with it for the whole time during college, which I really admire. She lives out the “come as you are” mentality with others. 

I enjoy Lucy’s sense of adventure. She keeps me young. I can’t wait for her to come to London and spend some time seeing what the city has to offer. I’m looking forward to my invite to the next Colorado trip. Hopefully, it includes skiing!

Emily: I love that Lucy is so thoughtful. She’s so smart and mature. She is constantly thinking about others. I’m so proud of the 21-year-old she has become! Lucy is throwing her friends a party on her own birthday because she wanted to make them feel good and have a good time. You are so caring, Lu!

I love how much fun Lucy and I have together! This past year, while crazy, has created a time that we would not have normally had to spend together, and I am so grateful for that! I LOVE hanging out with Lucy and giggling about everything. I know we have many more adventures to come! Who’s ready to parrrrtyyyyyy?!?!

Aunt Cindy: Jay and I remember sitting on a hammock in Mexico beach with Lucy singing at the top of her voice “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis. We smile, thinking of her every time we hear it! Love you, Lucy!

Aunt Caroline: I love her "open and loving heart." From a little girl to a grown young lady, her friends and family always depend on her loving friendship.

Aunt Susan: I love the memories of a special family trip to Disney World and especially of Lucy. She was so cute having fun with the princesses. It was a great trip.

Aunt Dana: The first time I met all of y’all in PA, Lucy was just a baby and wanted to swim. I got in the pool with her and taught her how to put her head in the water....she loved it! Alllllsoooooo.....love love love the memories of watching the Westlake football games through rain, sun, and wind....and watching our Lucy!!! Remember the cold and rain in the stands with hot toddies????

Aunt Cornelia: Can’t believe that Lucy will be 21! I still remember when she was a baby, and she would only let you do things for her! Here are some things that I love about her. I love Lucy’s smile! It can light up a room, a picture, or a stage! She’s easy to spot because of her infectious and contagious smile! (Not really sure if infectious and contagious are appropriate words to describe somebody these days!?) 

But speaking of infectious and contagious. What a resilient young lady Lucy is and will continue to be! I don’t know many people who have attended college during a global pandemic. I think you would have to be pretty tough to do that!

Finally, probably one of the things I love most about Lucy is her servant's heart! Lucy, your heart for Jesus and others makes my own heart smile! 

Aunt Shoo Shu: Lucy-Wow!!! I can’t believe you are 21. You are so beautiful on the inside and out. May God bless you each and every day for the next 21x21x21x21 years. Happy Birthday, Lucy!!! We love you lots! - Shoo Shu, Caroll, Perry, and Sarah!! 

(Special shout out to Cousins Cam and Emily Fuller for making last weekend so fun in Austin!)