Happy 91st!

"We operate far below our physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities."    Richard C Rozier

I remember that last night with you.

You were in so much pain you were thrashing around.

So hard for you to focus at all, or even talk. 

I asked if you enjoyed being our Dad. 

You looked right at me and got our the word: "Yes." 

I said you were a very good father, and thanked you. 

It was like for that tiny conversation the pain went away.

But I knew it really hadn't.

You were just talking about the most meaningful thing in your life.

Your family. 

You went from living on the streets at times in your youth.

No mother. She died when you were 6. 

To raising and supporting a family of 10.

You gave us everything you had. 

We all have the good lives we have now because of you and Mom.

Happy Birthday Dad. 

I have much more thanking to do when we meet again.

A life lesson from 41 years ago

I just read this today from my Mom's journal in 1980: 

"Tonight I had a long talk with Chris. He has a problem with his friends. No matter what I said he would say, "You don't understand." Finally I said, "I know how you feel but I don't know the answer to the problem." He said, "Oh, that's ok if you don't know the answer as long as you understand." Is that true!"

Mom was so wise. I still learn from her.