Happy Birthday Daddy

I am fortunate enough to say I had a great childhood and still participate in a very loving family.  That statement could not be made were it not for the efforts, love and unyielding support of my father.  There is no way I could convey the love and respect I feel for my dad in a few paragraphs.  From the time I can remember he has always been there - I mean really there - for me.

As a little girl, he would play ridiculous games with me and my siblings in the pool, creating nicknames and reason after reason for laughing.  He was the one who told me how beautiful I looked in a dress and insisted we buy it without ever mentioning the price tag.  It was my dad, who interrogated my boyfriends to ensure they showed me the respect I deserved.  And it was my dad who made me know that I could go out and try anything without fear of failure because I was always welcome back home.

As an adult we discussed current topics, although his social security views were not as progressive as mine, he taught me how to stand up for myself and present my opinions intelligently and respectfully.  When it was time for me to marry, he completely accepted my husband as his son and became the father-in-law any man would dream of.   His love for my mother and commitment to his marriage is a beautiful example for my husband and me.  As a grandfather, he is jaja to my son.  Recreating the laughter of my childhood for my son and his cousins.

On this day, he doesn't have the energy he had when he was my age and unfortunately I found out he is not an all knowing god.  But he is perfect to me and I love him very much.  I look forward to spending many more years with him.

Happy Birthday Daddy!