Happy Birthday Dad

Yesterday was Dad's birthday, and to celebrate he and Mom started a blog. See "Olympic View" under my links on the right. I appreciate my dad more than I can say. He's always been a constant in a sometimes topsy-turvy world. I've always known that he is right there for any questions I have on anything from what to do when I flush a sock to what to do when I'm questioning the role of baptism in the modern church. (I worked hard to get a sprinkling/dunking/immersion joke in there, but nothing came. Feel free to leave your efforts in the comments) We all know he has great people skills and truly thrives on being around people, both old friends and new acquaintences. It's a gift that was not passed down to me, but I have been able to learn from him how to approach people and situations with an open heart and an open mind. I can not remember a time that Dad has spoken a judgemental word against anyone. Something very hard to do in a family like ours where most of us drop sarcastic remarks like leaves in fall. I know we sometimes joke that he "doesn't get it", but as I've gotten older, I've realized that it's a good thing not to "get" some of the biting remarks that have come out of my mouth, and an even better thing not to try to one-up those remarks for the sake of a laugh.

I also really appreciate Dad's technical skills, from carpenter to electrician, painting, field work, to dry walling, to car repair, he does it all. His artistic take on Christmas lights have become the stuff of legend in our family. I took this shot last year when I helped Dad put up the lights on the big evergreen trees outside the house. I think it captures the feelings of excitement and joy he feels, and the chaos and slight trepidation I was feeling too.

OK, I've blabbered on too long. I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!! Thanks for all you do every day.