Today is my Dad’s 81st birthday. I can’t tell you how very glad I am that he is still here to celebrate with us – so many of our friends don’t have their parents around anymore, and Paul and I are fortunate enough to have both our Moms and our Dads around to share good times with.

My aunts still tell the tale of how Dad was so very protective of me – his first child – when I was born. He insisted that everyone who wanted to hold me do so while I was on a pillow.

The Infamous “Pillow”

He didn’t want me to get hurt – and all these years later, he is still watching over me.

We’ve shared lots of good times together – for instance, he always stayed up with me whenever I couldn’t get to sleep:

Oh, I’m sorry – do you have to go to work in the morning?

He taught me how to fix things:

Ya want me to hand you a wrench or somethin’?

He made sure that I got plenty to eat:

Mmmmm – Ice Cream!

He always engaged me in intelligent conversation:

Actually, I prefer Plato to Aristotle, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion….

He made sure that my clothes were always stylin’:

Baby got a new pair of shoes!

He taught me the importance of getting enough sleep:

Catchin’ some Zzzzz’s

He taught me how to read:

Ummmm…..are you done with that?

But most of all, he made me laugh:

You crack me up!

I had him all to myself for almost 2 years – when my little sister came along, he had his hands full:

We made a deal – I’m going to keep you up until midnight, she’s gonna wake you up at 2:00 and 4:00, and then I’m gonna get up at 6:00….

Thanks for all of the great memories, Dad!

Happy Birthday – I hope that you have a wonderful day; I’m sorry we can’t be there to celebrate with you and Mom.

I love you very, very much ♥♥♥
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(Many of these pictures were taken when Mom and Dad lived in an un-air-conditioned house in HOT Fort Worth, Texas – we ALL wore as little clothing as possible, just to stay cool!)
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