A Firecracker of a Birthday

Well, since I started the birthday tributes, I'll go along one more time.  Yes, today is Independence Day  and most Americans will celebrate that, rain or shine.  Here, where I live, it will most likely be celebrated in the rain.  The heavy rain.  Still, though, we can't let heavy rain dampen the birthday spirit now, can we?

As my mother was born on Flag Day, my daddy was born on Independence Day.  They are a couple of patriotic ones, aren't they?  Or as I say, a couple of firecrackers....

My daddy is celebrating a birthday that also begins with the first number of 7 but since he is a guy and guys care less about who knows their ages, I'll say that next year his birthday's first number will be an 8.  Uh huh.  My daddy was raised very poor but has always been a hard worker.  He was licensed to preach somewhere in the neighborhood of 59-60 years ago and was ordained to pastor churches about 55 years ago.  I could say a lot about my daddy but I won't.  Just as with my mother, there's not enough time nor words.  I will say that he is a good daddy, a well respected and most loved man, and an exceptional humble servant of his Heavenly Father.

So yes, as with my mother, I have no nice gift.  I actually have no gift.  He doesn't want one so I oblige him.  I am cooking him a meal, or I should say The Husband and I are cooking him a meal, later on today.  As for you in my blogsphere, I knew you would enjoy photos of him as you enjoyed the posted photos of my mother on her "patriotic" day.  After all, I have to keep my tributes fair, don't I?

This would be him at his baptizing....on the far right....

Since I was an only child for eight years, I have some OLD photos of him and me.  Or should I say "mature" photos?  No, I should say it as it is....old.  Was I not cute?  And I loved lollipops.  Still do.

Yes, and then there were two girls.  In this photo it's obvious I had to sleep in curlers to get that Easter hairdo.  The Sister didn't have to do anything special.  She was a baby so she was cute without effort to be so.  

I just noticed that The Sister and I are sort of wearing the same style shoe in this picture.  Now THAT'S scary, isn't it Sister?  

My daddy is probably in the an elite "club" of daddies who have baptized each of their children and grandchildren.

(For all you trivia buffs who go to my church, the long haired girl right over my daddy's head in this photo is Karen D. and the boy next to the woman in glasses by her is her brother, Mark...if my memory serves me correctly.   The little girl looking up at Karen is her little sister, Sheryl.   Yes, even my sister's photos are "mature".)

He's a good husband....

...one who loves his family and whose family loves him back....

...and one who loves his Heavenly Father and loves feeling His Spirit.

I put this photo in for all of you who doubt he wears any color shirt other than white.

He has a trademark sense of humor and ready smile and seems to never meet a stranger.  Yep, that's him!

So Happy Birthday, Daddy!  Keep smiling!!!