dad's birthday

Here we go, a fine, somewhat blurry picture of the cake.  It was delicious, but no surprises there.

Here's dad and a grandchild blowing out candles:

 And opening gifts:

We met back when you were like twenty one years old and I was zero, so we've known each other a very long time.

Thank you for the laughs, the lessons,the meals, the prayers, the college money, the  financial safety net, the encouragement and for upholding all of us as we sort life out and struggle through the rough spots.

You were never a very strict dad or prone to rules.  But you did know brats from good kids, and a well told story could impart a lot if the listeners had ears to hear.

Like the day Grandpa told you that he'd seen some real bad-acting kids in town and you and Wes pondered on who it could have been? What kids had you guys even run into in town? Then you realized he meant YOU TWO.

Yeah. Even to the point some anecdote would be shared and I'd feel concerned enough to ask Mom: "Is he trying to slip me a message??"  

"Oh gosh, I don't think so!"   Well.  I'm not sure.

And yet the time John wanted to you to go down to the basement with him so he could shoot the cap gun, and you said  you weren't interested because he'd probably shoot you--and John answered, "Oh I would only shoot you in the feet because you're OLD."  (You were 41.)

Psssht.

Thank you for believing in us and loving us.

This whole family loves you SO MUCH.   love forever, Val and EVERYBODY, hey.