Today, July 7, 2008 was my dad's 87th birthday!.. I went up to St. George, to take them out to dinner to celabrate this remarkable man's birthday. I had such a good time visiting with dad and Nell.
At the resturant, I excused myself to go to the restroom, and told our waitress that it was dad's birthday. So after we had finished our meal, a group of employees came to our table singing Happy Birthday! and presented dad with a "hot fudge sundae". He truely was surprised. As he heard them singing and clapping before they arrrived at our table he was looking around to see what was going on. He had completely forgotten that it was HIS birthday! He was so happy and surprised, just like a kid. He said, "how did they know?" then he realized that I must have told them when I went to the restroom. It really was priceless to see his response!
We sat there for about three hours visiting. Dad was telling stories about his experiences in the war. I wished I had remembered to have taken my tape recorder. Darn it!. We talked about what he wanted to have on his "headstone" when he leaves us, in many years to come. I had just been to a funeral a few days before, that had a military service. I told dad that we needed to know more about his military responsiblities, so that we could include them in his obiturary. Something that I didn't know was that dad was in the third army of General Patton's regiment. Now, I know you all are probably thinking what a conversation to be having on his birhtday, talking about his obiturary! But believe me, we laughed, giggled, and cried about so many different events and experiences that he has had in his life! We are so fortunate to have such a great father, and grandfather, that is so healthy and alert for his age! Granted there are times he does get a little forgetful, but don't we all?
As we were leaving, I told dad that we would meet again next year, same time, same day, just maybe a different resturant to celebrate another year. He told me that's a date!!!!
Both dad and Nell are doing well. They are happy and content.
Sharon
3 comments:
Sharon sounds like you guys had a really nice time together. I love to hear stories from when grandpa was growing up and in the army, what an amazing role model he is to me in my life.
Sharon,
Thanks for sharing that with us. You and Tara are so lucky to live so close them him. He is such a good example to all of us. I don't know if he'll ever know how much we all truly love him.
Hi Auntie Sharon, I am so happy that you spent some time with Grandpa and Nell on his birthday. He is such a wonderful man and I feel so lucky to have him as my grandpa! Thank you so much for taking them to lunch and then sharing your experience. I love this new blogging stuff!
Cindy
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