With Love, A Gift For My Daddy

More than anything I wish I could be there today with you to celebrate this milestone in your life. 85 years today! You are a man that is rich not in material things, but in the things that matter most in this life. Your faith and love in God, your steadfast love and commitment to Mama for 61 years. Your unselfish love for us girls and our hubbies, Barry and Tony...the sons you never had, and those grandchildren you adore, Katie, Callie and Evan...the loves of your life. Your love of family, church, community and country. Let's not forget those cows and your coveralls! What more could a man ask for?

Some of my fondest memories are riding the tractor with you when I was little and going fishing late on Saturday afternoons! Chopping and loading fire wood every Thanksgiving Day to prepare for winter ! Digging potatoes on summer mornings...that was fun especially when we'd dig up a snake! Driving up to the Raleigh-Durham Airport to watch the planes take off was really amazing to me as a little girl dreaming.

I used to love it when we'd go to Mr. Ed Smith's store and get a little coca cola and put peanuts in the coke...you taught me how to do that and manage to somehow get all the peanuts! My all time favorite I think would have to be when you'd bring home orange candied slices from the hardware store in a white paper bag at Christmas..always a treat! These things I won't ever forget. You made memories with us. Memories that are worth more to me than you'll ever know. They are priceless.

Thank you so very much for raising me the way you did! There were a lot of hard times on the farm, when we didn't always have what everybody else had, but you and mama always made us feel rich. I love you and thank you for being the best daddy this girl could ever have! I am blessed to have been born your daughter.

Happy 85th Birthday Daddy!

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.