Love you Julie! Here are some oldies but goodies. From, Barb

Dear Julie, Happy Birthday! I am about 2 weeks older than you and am laughing. I want you to know how much I admire and appreciate you. When I was ARCOA President you helped me in many ways especially as the Team Leader for the Districts. I remember you saying that Mary Lou Chapman was your best district leader and always was the first person to let you know she called everyone. I also remember doing a Red Cross story about you when you were volunteering for the Pikes Peak Chapter for disaster services. We rarely see each other though we live nearby. Have a wonderful Birthday Party. I am sure you will be remembering so many parts of your life and one we both share is being in Vietnam as “Donut Dollie’s”. What an experience both good and bad for all of us! Take care Julie, you are a talented, wonderful woman! Love, Debby Griffith Macswain

When I think about my mom, the words that come to mind are resilient, fun-loving, strong, adventurous, and incredibly loving. She is truly one of a kind, and I feel so fortunate to call her mine. I can only hope to be the kind of mom and grandma she is to me and to my boys. Some of my favorite memories with her capture exactly who she is: sleeping on the floor of the USO on our way to Australia; helping me with my circuits unit in the back of the yellow pickup truck as we tumbled down the road in Mexico; eating Eskimo Pies in the Volvo station wagon on the way to the cottage in Wisconsin for Christmas dinner; somehow fitting WAY more pottery than we should have bought into the back seat of a car in Italy; making our way back from Monte Carlo to Italy where I was stationed after my car broke down; and sledding in Buena Vista with Castel while she was going through chemo. Then, there are all the times she simply showed up when we needed her most. Like when I called and asked her to come watch Castel after Guy threw out his back and I had a work trip to Malaysia. Or when Guy called her himself and asked her to spend the entire summer with us in Virginia because we had more on our plate than we could manage. She knew things were serious when Guy was the one calling instead of me! Now, there are soccer games in Breckenridge. She can’t see what’s happening or even which child on the field is her grandson, but that doesn’t stop her from coming, cheering, and being there. Because that’s just who she is. She shows up. She has taught me how to make lemonade out of life’s lemons. She has taught me to embrace the adventure, find the fun even when life gets hard, and treat your friends and family like the precious gifts they are. Mom, you are the precious gift in our lives. I am incredibly grateful for everything you do, everything you’ve taught me, and mostly importantly everything you are to me and my family. Happy 80th Birthday!! I can’t wait to celebrate you tonight, or whenever you happen to read this, and then celebrate all over again in Antarctica!! I love you. ❤️

Well, my dear, welcome to the Eighties! I remember when I first met you! We were so glad to have you and Diane at Cam Rahn Air. What a time we all had!!!! Plus Alaska, too!! I am so thankful we still meet. Bueno Vista, what a great place for Reunions!! Oh I forgot, our wonderful trip out of San Diego to the Mexican ports!! What a great friendship we have, a very happy Birthday and many more!! I love you! Connie 🎂🍩

Love you, friend.

These 3 photos are from the infamous girl's backpacking trip, 3 tall friends and their moms. It's where Montana dog decided to throw up in our tent while we were trying to sleep.

When I think of Aunt Julie, the word that comes to mind is compassion. When Skip was passing away, all of his grandchildren were very young. We were all worried how they were going to handle his death. Skip’s favorite animal was a polar bear. So Aunt Julie went out and purchased 10 polar bears. One for each of his 9 grandchildren complete with their own name tag and one for grandpa to be buried with him in his casket. That way the grandkids could still converse with grandpa. She was also there by her sister’s side when Skip passed and when she went through her breast cancer surgery. She’s very crafty and has made so many sweaters, hats, gloves, stuffed animals, etc. She has done extensive surgery on my niece Makenna’s stuffed bunny more times than she can count. Makenna is now 25! Happy 80th Aunt Julie!! We love you!

Good friends sits on my bookshelf where I look at it every day!