Today would have been my Dad’s 90th birthday.  He passed away early yesterday morning, missing his birthday by one day.  What had been planned as a celebration had to be changed to a memorial of sorts.

Due to COVID, we hadn’t been able to visit with him the last 2 years.  We kept in touch through text messages and phone calls.  Three weeks ago, we got the call that he needed us to be with him – he was in the final stages of prostate cancer.  It was an honor to spend those last few days with him, and he was able to die at home thanks to his wonderful Hospice team.  I was by his side when he took his final breath.

This post was already scheduled to run, so a few things have not yet been updated:

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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