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Happy Birthday, Dad! Happy Birthday, Dad!
Today would have been my dad’s 93rd birthday, but he died in 2009 at 85. I wish he was here today when we all toasted a Budweiser in his direction. To be honest, he lived well past his sell date, we were lucky to have him as long as we did.
We lived in a typical Southern California suburb. Lots of kids on bikes and skateboards; the street was a sort of cul-de-sac and served well for soccer games in the street. When my dad retired in his 60s, he was a fixture sitting on a beach chair with a book and a Budweiser.
One day he went to the store and, while unloading groceries, misplaced a 12-pack of Budweiser. He walked back and forth from the car, searched the car — probably even called the store. It was nowhere to be found.
I finally told him that one of the kids on the street had probably grabbed it. He was appalled and offended — I don’t think he ever stopped looking for that 12-pack.
A few years later it was he and my mom’s 40th wedding anniversary and we surprised them with a big party. Lots of old neighbors — and lots of neighborhood kids, now old enough to buy their own beer.
My dad’s favorite gift was anonymous — it was a 12-pack of Budweiser. One of those neighborhood kids (and I have my suspicions on who it was) finally paid him back.
So, on his birthday every year, all his progeny toast one (or a few) in his direction.
There are some whose memory is a benediction.
I love “Dad” posts. Happy birthday Dad!
Your story reminds me of some friends who once “lost” a giant Toblerone bar intended as Christmas gift, in their house somewhere. It’s never been seen again. But every year, someone gets a Toblerone in its honor.
What a handsome dude, @Annefy! Easy to see where you get your good looks.
I, too, always remember my parents’ birthdays (and even grandparents’) and calculate how old they woulda’ been if they’d been blessed with longer lives.
What a fine tribute! Our parents are such important figures in our lives. It sounds like you have some great memories to revive for those birthday toasts! I love the story about the 12 pack!!
This brought tears to my eyes, @annefy, thanks for sharing your Dad with us, and Happy Birthday, annefy’s Dad!
One of my sisters is traveling in Italy right now, so she had her toast to my dad earlier than the rest of us. She couldn’t believe it; just as she ordered her beer, a street band started playing “Mack The Knife”! That was one of my dad’s favorite songs; when it came on the radio it was tools down and dancing would ensue.
Your Dad is giving you all a wave; that is so awesome.
You are too kind. He fancied himself as resembling Sean Connery – that they both had a Scottish accent certainly helped.
The last time he was in the hospital it was a riot watching he and his Viet Namese nurse try to communicate. She finally covered one of the numbers on his door, leaving 007.
He loved that nurse …
I’ll toast to your Dad – he looks like a fun guy to drink a beer with. My Dad is 90 and still going – barely. I am happy you are able to celebrate and cherish the memories. Cheers.
It is my Dad’s 85th birthday today. I posted a picture of him and his brothers on Facebook, taken when he was around 15. Of course, he could tell me exactly where it was taken, the occasion for the picture, etc. My Mom gets a little disgusted when he has to tell EVERY detail about a story, but I love hearing them. He gets a little mixed up about what he may have had for lunch yesterday, but he can tell you what happened with some farm sale from 50 years ago. I always think I’m going to remember all the details of the stuff he tells, but I should have been writing it down for years now. A lot of memories are going to disappear when he’s gone.
Thanks for sharing about your Dad.
My father died young, age 54, some 27 years ago this spring. I regret that my daughters (both now married) did not get to grow up being around their grandfather, as he was such an enthusiastic grandparent before he became too ill. My college Sunday School teacher was a good friend to my Dad (my parents joined my church years after I did) and they were tennis partners at the Lost Creek Country Club in southwest Austin. He sent me a long, handwritten letter after Dad’s funeral, explaining who my Dad was on the court, ferocious with a booming serve (often avoiding too much running and volleying), fastidiously fair calling balls out of bounds, well-liked by all. It was a great way of explaining that my Dad was a man of integrity away from home and church. Ever since, I have tried to help friends cope with the grief of losing their fathers. Thanks for sharing your family’s way of continuing to Honor your Father.
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Get him to tell stories when you can record him doing so. Oral histories are a terrific way to pass along the family lore, especially for those who might be too young to remember a relative after they’re gone.