Subject: With thanks…
From: Capricia Marshall <[email-masked]>
To: Capricia Penavic Marshall <[email-masked]>
Cc: "Dr. Robert Marshall" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2014 21:23:55 -0400

Awoke a few moments ago on a plane, crossing the globe to a beautiful place
and in a blink, I am on the other side... Of 50! Bam!

In an instant my backside dropped another centimeter, my eyesight blurred,
and many other "are you kidding me!" horrors occurred.

In lieu of moaning and groaning thru this moment in life, I have
chosen to *Raise
the Bar*!

So, I begin my new journey by
​raising a glass and toasting ​
YOU, my friend!

Thank you for listening as I blah, blah on about some seemingly,
meaningless point (like people not listening to speakers at events - my
latest annoyance - but so important); for persevering thru my strident
opinions (kids and drugs, argh!); for understanding that this Gemini is
well intentioned wh
​en​
she pushes the limits (napkin folds are imperative for proper table
presentation; and first impressions really matter!)
​;​
and for enduring my techno talents or lack thereof (you have no idea how
long it took me to write this email on a
​darn​
 iPhone - give me back my blackberry!)

I especially want to express my gratitude to three phenomenal women today:

First and definitively foremost - my AMAZING mother
​ who ​
gave me
​this precious​
 life and
​so much ​
love!
​ ​S
imply said, she gave me all, supported me
​fully​
, and loved me unconditionally.
​​

​From sitting through ballet, violin & drama recitals to living with us and
helping raise our son, she always encouraged me to be me.
​Like her mother, my Nonny, s​
he offers life's advice straight and honest (her recent commentary on a
cover shot "hmm…hair color, odd and your expression, not really you, but I
guess ok")
​
.
​ ​
 I
​so ​
love you mom
​.​

Ann Jordan - She became a part of my life when I first arrived to our *Nation's
Capital*, offering me tremendous guidance on how to navigate the waters of
this political town.  She opened her home to
​me and ​
my famil
​y​
. I so adore her. Thank you (and Vernon) for the support and love.

And, my mentor - the Secretary! If you are lucky, a person enters your
life, sees in you a glimmer of possibility and dramatically changes your
​future
 trajectory. Then,
​they ​
consistently guide you to strive
​ for the best​
you
​ can be​
, providing innumerable opportunities. I can never completely express my
gratitude to you for encouraging me and for fulfilling so many dreams!
 Thank you!

And to several special men, (
​H​
old on a bit more
​, it has been awhile since this former Chief gave a toast!​
) you are the light of my life. Dad, you introduced me to the cultures of
others around the world, creating in me a passion
​ that led​
to
​an exciting career​
​
.  My baby brother, Frank, you are always so supportive during good and
hard times.  Rob, the love of my life, who has a "heart" so huge, patience
so long, and loves judgment free - Happy Anniversary Darling!  Cole,
​my one great blessing ​
who everyday surprises me with his kindness, curiosity and humor
​.

As a special birthday request, I ask you to please keep in your thoughts
and prayers an extraordinary woman, Rayda Nadal, who worked in the front
office of Protocol. She made each day
​feel like ​
a burst of sunshine and has served her country with honor as a Foreign
Service officer. She is hospitalized after sustaining injuries in her
Moscow apartment.  We await her healthy return.

​M​
any know, I love celebrating birthdays...especially my own!
​(​
Do not fret Lee - I am not changing my mind!
​)​
​  ​
But on THIS wonderful day
​ ​
- THIS
​f​
abulous year - I want to celebrate YOU!  Because without you - this
dramatic, often nutty gal - could not be who she is today!

​Here's
to *Raising the Bar*!

With love and gratitude -
Capricia

* This message is not intended to be face booked, tweeted, instagrammed or
whatever else - just enjoyed - or deleted.

**For all of you editors – please ignore the awful grammar and horrific
punctuation – it sounds better when spoken.
​