Dad.

This is a picture of my Dad with my niece.

Dad turns 70 tomorrow. And aside of the fact that he's winding up another decade, this birthday is particularly a milestone because my brother and my SIL are flying in with Little Evan, and Dad gets to meet his second grandson and namesake. It's a big surprise and I cannot wait to see the expression on his face. I also can't wait because I will be meeting my first nephew. I think it's going to be a fight between my mom, my sister and me as to who should be holding Evan!

Dad is the most wonderful person I know. Never has there been a harder working father and husband; totally devoted to family. He was born and raised dirt-poor in the coal regions of West Virginia; his father,a painter by trade, was an alcoholic who frequently drank up the money, so Dad was helping to support the family at an early age. He had five brothers, and had no meat during the week. His main staples were field greens and pinto beans, both nutritious and cheap. He used to barter for food; he'd do handy work or ran errands for some change and a meal. He has the most amazing stories about his childhood. He had it hard, but I think that's what turned him into the man he is today. He and Mom just worked hard all their lives, were careful financial planners, and now can retire in comfort and ease.

Dad has been married to my mom for 43 years. He had three children--my sister, my brother and me. All the time I was growing up, I thought my Dad was the kindest person in the world. Everyone who meets him instantly likes him. He never hit me ( that was Mom's thing.) When he yelled at me I always cried because I was sorry that I upset him. I am the youngest child and I was always closer to Dad; by the time I came along, he was making more money and didn't have to work as much. Of the three of us, he says I am the most like him. That's a compliment of the highest order, especially since I know deep down I could never be the person he is. I have such fond memories of Dad--the time when I was 7 and got sick Christmas morning, he stayed home with me while Mom and Sue and Rob went to my grandparents. My Christmas dinner was a steak that he cooked :) Dad was always generous with everyone but himself. For years he drove crappy cars so that his family might have what they wanted first. Finally, he drives a much-deserved Mercedes. When Jim died, he tirelessly handled all my financial affairs and the funeral. He is the best granddad. He would play endlessly with the kids when they were small, and will drop anything to play a board game with them today. If I ever needed money, he was more than happy to give me a loan. Heck, when I was a teen, he'd give me cigarette money. I really realize how *wrong that was now, LOL.

I really worry about Dad's health. He's a diabetic with heart problems. A few years ago he had to have an angioplasty that literally saved his life. Essentially, he should be healthy. He's not overweight, and he's been physically active since childhood, a star basketball player, eats healthily, but diabetes can take a little problem and accelerate it. That's why it's such a killer. I know it's going to happen someday, but I can't bear to think about it. You always assume that your parents will be around forever, that you're forever 10 years old and Dad is still going strong too. I will be so lost when he goes.

Here's to you, Dad. May this be the happiest birthday ever!