Happy Birthday Dad Dad!

The Birthday Boy!

Today is my Dad's 73rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad! Dad, I know you wont read this post...since you never touch a computer...so I guess I'll go ahead and post all the sorted truth about you. Here goes...the truth is my dad is a wonderful father and grandfather!

Dad was also a wonderful husband to my mother. I believe one of the best gifts he ever gave his children was to love our mother...even when times were hard. My mother was sick for several years and required a lot of care. My father never once complained. Never. His philosophy is "Why complain? It doesn't change anything." Naturally, Dad did not want Mom to suffer the way that she did. But, since he couldn't change it he accepted the situation and tried to make the best of it...not only for Mom but for all of us.

Dad loves his family and has always put our needs above his own. Dad does not have a lot of expensive gadgets and a ton of different hobbies. What he does have is 4 children and their families and that is where he loves to spend his time and energy. While he could have decided to pursue golfing, boating, hunting, etc. what he chose to do instead is be on the sidelines or at the finish line watching and cheering on his grandchildren. Dad is always ready and willing to help in any way. With Dad you don't have to ask for his help. He offers. When I told Dad recently that I was going to a huge children's sale and if I found any big ticket items I might want to borrow his truck he said, "Why don't I just come with you?" He did and we had a great day together...and it is a good thing we had the truck along, too!

I'm Dad Dad's 10th and favorite grandchild! Shhh...don't tell my cousins!!

My father is the type of person who stops to help a stranger change a tire in the rain. He does it because he hopes someone would help one of his kids or grandkids if we were ever stranded and also because it is simply the right thing to do.

My father has a wonderful sense of humor and sometimes laughs harder at his own jokes than anyone! Dad is the master of the one-liner. He will notice something and lean over and drop a little bomb on you when you are least able to laugh. Say, for example, when you are in church!

Now, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. Dad is not a saint. There are definitely little devil horns holding up his halo! That's part of what makes him so fun to be around!

Can you see my halo from this angle?

Recently, Dad had a serious health scare that had us all really worried (including Dad). Thank God Dad is now doing great and will be around to celebrate many more birthdays with us!

We love you Dad!