dad's birthday...

...is today. he would be 79 years old if he were still alive... however he's been gone now about 3 and a half years.

mom asked this morning, "you know what today is, don't you?" "yes" i replied... and said i was going to honor daddy by blipping a picture of him.

it's funny how our memories of loved ones don't grow any dimmer as time goes on... they seem to become sharper and more focused. i am more appreciative of the little things daddy did as i was growing up and then as i became a woman. things that made me proud he was my father that i never really gave thought to in any way or shape prior to his passing.

i knew he'd served our country - was an army man... but he didn't make a big deal of it. he wasn't one to make a fuss out of what he'd done... took it in stride because that's what men of his generation did - it was expected, it was done, he served... when my nephew enlisted, daddy became his best buddy - a correspondent via email... telling him how proud he was and sharing tips and hints to help him make it through his tour. i thought that was the coolest thing ever. what more could you ask of your grandfather... of your father...

this is a picture of a picture of daddy in the barracks of his early days of service in the army in 1953... mom couldn't remember where he was stationed at the time it was taken - but does it matter?

the other thing i like about this, is that i call it dad's "james dean look-a-like" picture ... mom laughed at that... but the pose; all relaxed, head cocked and he's wearing a tee-shirt... come on... don't ya think? he looks so cool.

so for dadddy - happy birthday!

i love you.....