Happy Birthday, Monica! May God help you achieve all your career goals. The sky’s the limit. I admire your determination to climb up in your career. Despite the opposition immigrants face, you have forced your way to the top as a female on merit. I remember when I started working at Syncrude; you always encouraged me not to relax whenever we met face to face in Canada. Ben Nelson I remember our good old days on Angels Hill, where we were science students preparing for our A’ levels and enjoyed our fun “bone shaker” rides to training and Interco as athletes. I love how focused you are. You know what you want and work diligently to achieve your goals. I wish you good health, love, peace of mind, prosperity, and perhaps some grandkids to keep you extra busy. Vivian Codjoe-Dake I love your kind nature; you are an incredibly generous and supportive friend. Our friendship spans decades, from our early days at Ridge Experimental School in Sunyani, to Holy Child School, and then university in Ghana. It was an honour to witness you and your lovely husband, Ato, tie the knot in Tema. May the next decade be filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable memories. Sending you tons of love and blessings as you celebrate this milestone. Afia Anima Asare I remember your dedication as an athlete at Holy Child and your commitment as a student. You are compassionate, loving, and have a wonderful personality. I wish you God’s blessings and favour. Cheers to the next 50 years ahead! Susan Dickson We have been family friends for years, celebrating many holidays together in both Ghana and Canada. Congratulations on reaching the big 5-0! Your kindness has always been a joy to experience. Our friendship dates back to our Holico days, where you balanced rigorous athletic training with academic excellence. Your nickname “Weze Weze” came from your skill in hurdling and competing in the 100m and other events. While some of us struggled with the 4x4 relay, you handled it like a champ. It’s fitting that you married someone nicknamed Champ, who is also a good friend of my husband—both Santaclausians! Your journey took you from Calgary to Ontario and back to Calgary, and we’ve shared many fun times along the way—from your days in London, Ontario, to Sudbury, Fort McMurray, and back to Calgary. I fondly remember our attempts at roasting a turkey “the Canadian way” and hiking for the first time. Our paths have criss-crossed through many stages of your life, and I hope that wherever the future takes you, our families remain connected. As you begin this new chapter, my wish for you is to continue astonishing the world with your acts of kindness, as Maya Angelou said. May the Lord bless and keep you always. Cynthia Rose Hagan The Birthday Journal 53
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