Happy Birthday Dad

Tomorrow would have been Dad’s 86th Birthday.
He left us almost a decade ago, yet I feel his presence in every ounce of my being.
I talk to his photo on my dresser, almost on a daily basis.

His advice was simple, yet honest. Principles by which he lived his exemplary life.
“Be a good husband. Be a good father”.
“Be good at your profession. Be a loyal friend”
And, tongue in cheek, “If possible, be a good son”.

I have lived by these tenets for most of my adult life.
My record clearly not as impeccable as his, but his words serving as my key guiding principles.
If I can be half the husband, father and, professional my dad was, I will have done pretty darn well. He was kind, and generous to a fault. The consummate family man.
His one weakness? His children. And they could do no wrong.
Boy, was he ever wrong on that one!

Happy Birthday Dad, as you celebrate in the heavens with Mom.
That’s a lot of eternal candles on the cake.
Let the party begin!