Happy Birthday Dad!!!

You look like a movie star!

Now you are a great-grandpa!

You have been a wonderful father for 48+ years.  Thank you for teaching me so many things as I was growing up.  You are an example to me of an honorable man who lives what he teaches.  I always could look to you if I had any question about just about anything.  You gave me a love of learning and education that has been passed on to my children.  You gave me a love of nature and spending time in the outdoors.  You have loved Mom for over 50 years and I hope I can follow that example too.  I don't like to collect things like you do, but I do like to collect memories and so many in my life have you in them.  I was thinking of a picture in my mind of you sitting on the stairs in that Sunnyvale apartment reading bedtime stories to Craig, Janet and Jared.  I hadn't seen you do that for a long time in Fairfield.  I remember you always complimenting my cooking even when it wasn't really that good.  I remember you bringing home our first color TV and being so excited.  That dates us!  I have a funny memory of going to fly kites with fishing poles in the park behind Sullivan Jr. High.  We drove by that park last month and I had a flashback.  I remember that you always wanted me to be and do my very best.  I have tried to be and do what you expected and I am very happy.  Thank you for being my Dad and for all that you have given me through the years.