05/15/2026
On Tuesday May 12 the tower was lit for Katlyn. Unfortunately at that time the Facebook post didn't make it out so tonight we are re-posting for her.
Tonight the tower shines brightly in honor of Katlyn’s 40th birthday. Like the tower, her light shines from the reflection of God’s love. When you were born and I was told you had Down’s Syndrome, I couldn’t comprehend what tomorrow would look like and certainly not what 40 years from then would like be either! You’ve brought me so much joy and love and exceeded any expectations I might have ever had. You’ve made me amazingly proud of your accomplishments and your tenacity to never give up. Your love of all things about the Ohio State Buckeyes, helping me tend to our flowers and yard, doing many weekly chores around the house, being a competitive corn hole partner, are just a few of the things that make me thankful you’re mine. Your heart for giving to those less fortunate, serving along beside me on committees and attending countless meetings without once complaining, helping me with The Tree of Sharing and the Closet for years at church, staying with me after school on Friday nights while I worked on lesson plans when I was still teaching, waiting patiently for me to finish so we could finally go home, again, without even a whispered whine, I am grateful. I know God placed a servant heart in you. It might have needed to have some repair work done to it by human hands when you were just 13 months old, but it is filled with the purest love. You have touched so many hearts, not only with your fist bumps, tender hugs,and beautiful smile, but also with over 100 pictures you colored and sent to others during the Pandemic and are still sending out today. The hard work you put in after your two hip surgeries during your PT sessions and also at home to reach your goals of riding your bike and bringing the light of Christ into many services as an acolyte, make me one very proud Mama! So tonight my sweet daughter, this is for you! With ALL my love, Happy Birthday KMJ!
