Happy 99th Birthday, Dad.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God.   Isaiah 43: 1-3




My Dad celebrated his 99th birthday this past Sunday. He is the youngest of six children and the only one to graduate high school in his family.



Dad with me and two of my five brothers...1951

He served in WW II, came home with the Silver Star and Purple Heart, started a family, farmed, started a tiling business in his 60s, was active in church and school board. Although ten years younger, his wife, my mother, passed away several years ago of a rare cancer. He cared for her on a daily basis until her death.

Currently, Dad is wheel-chair bound due to pain in his legs. He can converse about almost anything and enjoys good conversation. He wants to live to be 100!



Dad and me--is it possible our shoes are the same?

I

As the years have passed,

I've realized that Dad and I have a lot in common--

a love of the outdoors,

an appreciation for farm work,

unconditional family love,

and a faith in the God of the universe.

 

 

Our country lane--lined by cornfields...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ...

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ...a time to embrace, ...a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak...A time to love....

    Ecclesiastes

Since Dad's move to the nursing home, I have noted other parents and grandparents and have determined that many are lonely and in need of companionship.

So, in my blog this week

 and in honor of my own father,

I want to encourage you to reach out to those

(today, this week, don't wait!)

who are aged or aging

and in need of a smile,

a conversation,

a touch,

or a prayer.

 

and always give thanks...