Happy Birthday Dad!

It's my Dad's birthday.  So of course, I'll celebrate him with birthday wishes, stories and old pictures, starting with this one.  My Dad is the youngest, right in the front.    

My Dad grew up with his mom and siblings in Western Michigan.  In High School, he attended a Billy Graham crusade where he made the decision to accept Jesus as his Savior.  He attended Sheridan Drive Baptist Church, where he met my Mom, and it's still the church that they attend today.  

When my Dad graduated from high school, he went straight into a welding apprenticeship.  He worked as a welder until his recent retirement.  When I was young, and people would ask me what my Dad did for his job, I remember telling them that he was a welder, but having no idea what that meant.  As the years went by, I realized that it meant that my dad was incredibly skilled and hard working.  He spent many years working on nuclear power plants and then spent his last years of work as a Safety, making sure that everything was running as it should.

My Dad was athletic in high school and always enjoyed playing sports.  He played for many years on our church's softball team and I remember going to many of his games to cheer him on.  

For some reason, we always got my Dad the same kind of gifts for each birthday and Christmas celebration.  We would always buy him cashews, some sort of tool (I'm pretty sure the headband pictured below had a flashlight that attached to it), and a comfortable sweatshirt.  He was pretty easy to please.  

My Dad spent many hours going to our games and concerts when we were in high school.  He always worked very hard to provide everything that we needed.

He also took us on many fun family vacations.  We went to many amusement parks and visited caves and the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee.  I remember one year, my Dad driving 20 some hours to take us to Disney World.  Those vacations were such fun memories for our family.  For our last family vacation all together, we travelled to Niagara Falls.  I'm so thankful for all of those times that we shared together.

When I got married, my Dad proudly walked me down the aisle.  For some reason, Jer and I decided to read tributes that we had written to our parents.  I cried like a baby when I read mine.  I thanked my Dad for loving me, for teaching me about Jesus and for always being there for me.  I told him that I was always proud to be known as my father's daughter.  

After getting married and leaving to live in New York, my times with my Dad have been fewer and farther between.  This of course, has made the times that we have had together incredibly special.

When my Dad took on his role as a Grandpa, he immediately learned that the way to his grandkid's hearts was through treats, of course.  He took this role pretty seriously, and it certainly paid off.  

I'm very thankful that both of my parents have taken time over the years to come and visit us out here on Long Island.    

My Dad has built a special bond with our kids and they love him very much.

I just had to add this one in because it makes me smile.

We've also been so blessed to spend many trips driving out to visit them in Michigan. 

It's given me so much joy to see my Dad take time to love our kids. 

My Dad has many things that he loves.  He's always been a fan of science fiction, reading (I get my love of reading from him) and politics.  Another one of my Dad's great passions in life is shooting.  One of my favorite memories was last fall, when my Dad took Christian out to shoot his first .22 rifle.  

Another one of my Dad's loves is riding his motorcycle.  It's a beautiful bike and he got it when he retired.  

I'm so very thankful for my Dad.  He taught me the important things in life... to love God and to work hard.  I'm thankful for all that he's sacrificed over the years to love and care for our family.  And I pray that God will continue to lead him and bless him in the years to come.  

Today I wish my Dad a very happy birthday.  Thank you for all that you've done for our family and thank you for loving us and caring for us.  I hope to see you and Mom soon, but till then, know that you are loved and in our hearts and our prayers.