Today is my Dad’s 85th birthday. I can’t tell you how very glad I am that he is still here to celebrate with us – Paul lost his father a few years ago, and it is a loss that he feels every day.

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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