Memories for his Birthday

If memory serves me correctly, I’m not so good about posting here for my mom’s birthday as I do for my dad.   Maybe she gets a better post for Mother’s Day or better gifts!  🙂  I don’t know but hopefully they aren’t keeping score!

I made my dad a booklet/newsletter with some childhood memories of mine that connect with him.  I don’t know how to put the exact pages here so I’ll share the various articles/sections with you.

My 3rd grade school photo

My favorite memory with you is when you came and got me out of my 3^rd grade class with Mrs. Denbow. I had no idea what was going on and while we walked down the steps, I nervously asked if I had to go the dentist.  No, but you still wouldn’t tell me.

We drove to the Ashland Airport for an airplane ride!! While you were flown over the Brethren Care land for photos, I got to ride on the other side of the plane tilted UP in the air!  It was fun anyway and I love that you got me out of school for that.

Margaret & I riding Dumbo at Disneyland.

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Our trip to California with the camper was quite memorable the year I turned 5.  I remember only bits & pieces but still have my stuffed skunk that I got for my birthday while we were gone.  I was sick at Marsha’s when we were there for supper and somewhere along the way, we saw a baby lamb that was lost.  (Yes, I know this is totally irrelevant, but what I remember!  You make your own book! 🙂 )

~~~@

Dad's school photo

When you were a teacher at AHS, I was able to get in on the faculty Christmas parties for the kids.  I remember I could go see Santa but I don’t remember the rest of the party.

Because you got vacations with the school calendar, I loved the year we went to Arkansas over spring break.

I felt we were on easy street staying in our own log home at Cherokee Village.  The cafeteria for our meals was a blast even though I wasn’t big enough to carry my own tray.  You & the others played Rook back at the cabin and I suppose I was still playing the “dummy” hand at this time.

Visiting the Maryland cousins.

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.It was fun being involved in your building projects. (Dad designed and was general contractor of sorts with his job in the 70’s.  Here I mention an apartment building and small condos he oversaw.)  When Buckeye Apartments were being built, we could use our roller skates & bikes on the newly poured cement before there were walls.  And it was fun to help the new residents move in and find their way with the new apartments.

On the open house day for Martin House, Margaret & I got to be the elevator operators.  That was so much fun until another child got on and wanted to push the buttons for themself.  Up & down all day was great.  I was hoping I could get in on the group crafts sometime while you were there working.  I thought the idea of a craft room was wonderful.

I have fond memories of the stilts you made.  I was so thankful for the scraps of lumber that you had around and the know-how to put them  together!

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Once you retired, having you here to help with harvest in October was a delight.  Phil appreciated your help with hauling loads of grain from the fields back to the farm.

A lot happened every October and it was always good you could spend the extra time here with the kids.

Josiah learned to walk when you were here in ’93 and you & Keturah were great cheerleaders for him that evening.

Every fall as the World Series comes on; I remember you wanted to come in to see the games when you were here.  I suppose the only time baseball ever was on our TV.

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Most of all, you love Mom!

Happy 88th Birthday, Dad!