For Daddy’s 73rd Birthday

73 Reasons Why You Are Special To Me

 

  1. Because you set such a good example as a Father that it was easy for me to understand the concept of God as a Father.
  2. Because you woke us up in the middle of the night to give us a drink of water.
  3. Because you bought sacks full of Howell burgers.
  4. Because you lit the kitchen and bathroom heaters before waking us up.
  5. Because you went to church with us.
  6. Because you taught us to bray like a donkey.
  7. Because you got us Buddy the pony.
  8. Because you grieved with us when Floppy died.
  9. Because you put twenty dollar bills in the medicine cabinet.
  10. Because you found a new home for Jeb and Annabel and went to get them.
  11. Because you share investment opportunities with us.
  12. Because you believe education is worth sacrificing for.
  13. Because you teach us by example to value relationships.
  14. Because you share your tomatoes and peaches ( and everything else!)
  15. Because you don’t allow a car to define you (or maybe you do!)
  16. Because you’ve learned to use a computer in retirement.
  17. Because you tell me who all my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins are.
  18. Because you flea our cats.
  19. Because you’ll still “you-you” me on your knee if I need it.
  20. Because you brought vanilla from Mexico- and a whole family that leaned on you until they could stand on their own.
  21. Because you’ve been willing to change as we’ve changed.
  22. Because you disapproved of smoking.
  23. Because you wear a hat.
  24. Because you keep all your phone numbers in a pocket spiral notebook.
  25. Because you know what Spirea Van Hootii is.
  26. Because you collect interesting people and their stories and share them with us.
  27. Because you love our Mother.
  28. Because you loved your Mother and Daddy.
  29. Because you love us, even when we haven’t loved ourselves.
  30. Because you taught us the healing power of turpentine.
  31. Because you taught us to always have a toothpick handy.
  32. Because you disapproved of divorce.
  33. Because you are always just a phone call away when I need you.
  34. Because you found me a rock, not just any rock but a bona fide “standing stone”.
  35. Because you eat peanut butter from a jar.
  36. Because you will always figure out a way to make something work.
  37. Because you take out the trash.
  38. Because you brought home sweet potatoes and watermelons.
  39. Because you are proud of us, our spouses, and our children.
  40. Because you go out of your way to visit people.
  41. Because you eat your cake with your peas.
  42. Because you can cook rice and tomato soup.
  43. Because you know where all the Wall Street Journal stands are and what time they are delivered.
  44. Because you tease waitresses.
  45. Because you appreciate Waffle House coffee and cuisine.
  46. Because you make tables for us to cover.
  47. Because you made a birdhouse.
  48. Because you make many friends and few enemies, as far as I can tell.
  49. Because you rocked on the porch with us.
  50. Because you rocked our babies.
  51. Because you know the mailman’s schedule.
  52. Because you took us to see “Gone With the Wind.”
  53. Because you took us to the Henry Grady Hotel.
  54. Because you are always there at important events in our lives.
  55. Because you drove from house to house on Christmas to be with all of us.
  56. Because you sent us to Dr. Moorer’s when we didn’t have dental insurance.
  57. Because you sit for family portraits.
  58. Because you have good relationships with your brothers.
  59. Because you give us oil lamps.
  60. Because you took us to Six Flags.
  61. Because you’re patient with Mother’s decorating, collecting, etc.
  62. Because you haven’t let us forget family memories like “carny sarn”.
  63. Because you’ve always expected a lot of us.
  64. Because you didn’t buy 1 Nehi orange and pass it around.
  65. Because you taught us to expect a lot of ourselves.
  66. Because you have stayed handsome and slim and taken care of yourself.
  67. Because you tucked us in at night.
  68. Because you accepted and loved my spouse.
  69. Because you’ve hauled whatever needed hauling for all of us.
  70. Because you’ve never stopped learning.
  71. Because you say grace.
  72. Because you get regular checkups.
  73. Because you are my Daddy……..

                                                                                   And I Love You!!



                            Cathy

                                                                                    March 8, 2002