Today is the day after my dad’s 81st birthday. And I wouldn’t be a proud Navy Brat without him! I was adopted in San Diego at 3 months old and have never thought a moment about who my “real” birth parents are (someone always asks!).
It’s interesting to see how dad has changed these past few years. He’s a cancer survivor and is getting to the point where he visibly cherishes every day, all the memories and new opportunities to live on through his grandchildren.
My 41st birthday is upon me next month and my dad called me last week (first sign of something – I always call him) to ask my ring size. WOW. Talk about blown away. Last year I received my maternal grandmother’s diamonds from my mom and the year before that dad gave me an inscribed heart pendant. He is truly focused on creating gifts that last a lifetime and have so much meaning behind them through words he has never really been able to say himself.
Dad is really an inspiration. He built my confidence over the years to a level I never would have done on my own (sorry – I still don’t golf, Dad!). He is genuinely interested in family and believes in the tradition of hand written notes – so much so that I learned calligraphy for my own wedding invitations. He loves to “chat over the fence” to neighbors, only mow the lawn on certain days of the week and is the biggest meat and potatoes fan I’ve ever known.
I dedicate another day of birthday celebration to my dad and would like thoughts on how other people see their dads in themselves. Regardless, it’s worth a few minutes to ponder.
Off the top of my head... 