Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears! Jennifer arises like a phoenix from the ashes after a harrowing year. Just this time last year Jennifer was recovering from tragic illness and surgery; this year she is living her best life on Capitol Hill. She has a swank apartment, mobility, a dream job, and the state of her union is strong! Last year we were in desperate times, uncertain what the future might hold, and even fearful of the effort it would take to emerge from an intense and life-changing sickness. This year we can say with certainty, Jennifer is strong, resilient, still laughing, still pushing, and, honestly, making a huge difference in the lives of others through her witness as a social worker and counselor to hundreds who reach her through her new work as an online therapist for an employee assistance company. Just the other day someone wrote about Jennifer's counseling: "I feel so much better. I'll remember you forever because you helped me get to a place I've never been. You gave me some tools on how to be in balance...."  

Jennifer is making progress on mobility and function on a daily basis, and she has become the beloved scooter-darling of every business on Capitol Hill. If you walk down the street with Jennifer you are sure that someone will stop and greet her.  

Aren't we lucky to know Jennifer personally? Isn't she the example of how love wins every single day? Let's celebrate Jennifer and give her a big shout out for her birthday. Let's give thanks to the Almighty for blessing us with Jennifer! Jennifer, happy birthday, and many, many happy returns.