I grew up believing in Santa Claus, and we still treat our house at Christmas with a huge reverence for that belief - even though our children are 19 through 23.

I decided if you're lucky enough to be alive, you should use each birthday to celebrate what your life is about.

It's very easy to approach a character like that - a so-called strong woman who overcomes the odds - and give a one-note performance, playing that strength alone. Strength is only one thing a person has.

I love to paint. And I have another profession - an interior design business.