Happy Birthday Kathleen!

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Kathleen is my older sister. She is the one whom I followed around like a puppy before Sheila and Regan came along and did the same to us.

Kathleen always had the better costume (witness the photo above) when we played dress up. She always got perfect ringlets when my grandmother would rag curl our hair using flat beer to set it (did everyone do this or is it an Irish thing?) She had a tutu and a pogo stick and cool gymnastics shoes like Nadia Comaneci, our hero.

Needless to say, I wanted to do everything she did until the little sisters showed up and I could enjoy the perqs of being a big sis myself.

I know you’ve moved beyond ringlets and costumes, Kathleen, but you still deserve the best in life. I have no doubt that with your grace and fortitude all your dreams are with in your reach.

Now a bit of nostalgia. Look back to 1976 when we all thought we would be Olympians and our parents thought we would break our necks …

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Love, Moira

10 1976 Kathleen McLaughlin moira mclaughlin Nadia Comaneci perfect ten

Comments

8 responses to “Happy Birthday Kathleen!”

July 30, 2008

Kathleen

Thanks Moira!
We have got to get our family movies digitized. I know our gymnastics routines to “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band” and “Silly Love Songs” by Paul MCartney and Wings would be instant YouTube classics.

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July 30, 2008

Kathleen

…and you did learn quickly how to trump everyone by always being the first to call “youngest!” whenever we played orphanage or boarding school!
I’m also curious if anyone else did the beer in the hair thing?

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July 30, 2008

FleasGang

Happy Birthday Kathleen! 🙂
The Fleas

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July 30, 2008

Clair

I remember that we tried it once or twice, but my mom probably got it from yours, so that doesn’t count. Mom quickly lost patience with the rags in the hair, though once she taught me how to do it, I’d do it on my own once in a while (without the beer).
Nadia Comaneci! Do you remember the banister in Papa and Rita’s house? Kathy and I would jump down those stairs, and then pretend we were vaulting off the end of the banister.
It’s amazing that we still have our front teeth.
Happy birthday, Kathleen!

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July 30, 2008

WendyB

I insist on seeing the Silly Love Songs routine. And happy birthday!

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July 31, 2008

Moira

Clair, I cannot picture that!!! That stairway was super steep and surrounded by antiques. Unbelievable!
Wendy, we had an old school camera, like everyone in those days, no sound. I’ll have to make one of my movies to get the full effect 🙂

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July 31, 2008

Regan

Happy birthday!
Those movies would be fun. I know there are st. Benedict cheerleader and band videos. Sheila’s got some gesu cheerleader videos too. I, only remember a bit of rita and papa’s house. The beach movies and slides hold the gold.
I love you guys. It’s time we start saying it.
– regan.

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August 2, 2008

Kathleen

I love all of you too! McLaughlin sisters 4 evva!

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