Netters all,

Let me be the first (could it be?) to wish Pat Bull a very happy birthday
today!!  Won't tell you how old she is, but she's considerably younger than I
am!

And, praise God, a clean bill of health after her brain surgery two years ago!
Lots to celebrate for her (and for all her Net friends) today!

Pat was the first LC in the state of Illinois -- how things have changed here
since she first tried to teach us all what a lactation consultant was back in
1983!  She was a charter member of MILC (Metro Illinois LCs) and the first
President thereof.  For those of us "oldies" in the field, it's good sometimes
to reflect back and see where we were in the early 80's, and to see what has
happened in the intervening 15 or so years.  This is helpful, especially when
we are discouraged about the progress (or lack of it) that we see in the
hospitals and in the community.....

So from all of us, Pat, thank you for everything you have done -- your sweet
spirit, your generosity of time and resources, your willingness to be of help
to all who ask, your insatiable desire to learn, your unflagging efforts to
bring breastfeeding along -- not only in Illinois, but through your work at
Medela which puts you in touch with people around the world....and your love
for all of us.

Love,
Jan B
The "other half" of the Breastfeeding Connection.