February 18th is my dads birthday.
I cant remember how old he is.
Simply because I have the Birthday-itis which is a rare disease in which my brain randomly remembers when someone is a specific age (usually from the first time I met them or in familys case, a significant birthday like 40 or 50) and I forever can only recall them as being that age.
Some people misinterpret this for kindness or flattery, but really its just that I am totally incapable of remembering anyones actual birthday. Birthday-itis. I wish I was kidding.
This is my dad and my Great Grandma. My kids' Great-Great Grandma.
This picture sorta chokes me up a bit. My Great Grandma Inga is my moms Grandma... but the day my dad married my mom, she became his grandma.
She adores him. She dotes on him.
And he on her.
They are two people that I treasure beyond words. And seeing my father humbled with love and respect for this woman that has molded and defined generations of women is quite inspiring.
Many years ago (I think I was 16 or 17?) I gave my dad a little plaque with the inscription on it,
"Father, in this world you have given me two things. One is roots and the other is wings."
I cant help but smile with gratitude every time I read it.
Thanks dad.
Thanks for loving one hard to love kid. Thanks for forgiving me when I didnt deserve it. Thanks for telling me the truth about myself... because you were the only one I would accept it from.
Thanks for being a kid with my kids.
Thanks for being you.
You are loved and appreciated.
Happy 50th Birthday! (40th? or 55th? I must be getting closer...)
That's so sweet! Made me smile and think about my dad. Happy birthday to your dad.
Posted by: MIss | February 17, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Beautiful, beautiful. What a blessing for you and your family this man has been. Happy Birthday to your dad!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | February 17, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Awwww - love this post. (and that is just the sweetest picture)
Posted by: Sally | February 17, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Amanda's dad. I hope your day is FULL of blessings.
Amanda, this that picture melts my heart. And a great-great grandma?!?! Huge blessing. I'm so happy for your kiddos. :)
Posted by: Bethany | February 17, 2011 at 11:51 PM
This is so beautiful Amanda. Happy birthday to your dad. God bless.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 18, 2011 at 02:55 AM
So special! Happy birthday to your dad.
Posted by: Kristen | February 18, 2011 at 03:06 AM
Aww! What a sweet post! God bless your dad! He looks like a very gentle person here.- kind of like my dad.
And that is amazing- that your children have seen their great-great grandparent!
Posted by: scatterbrain | February 18, 2011 at 03:53 AM
:-) I'd kinda imagined you were the perfect kiddo. Touched me. I was that kid too. Kinda hard to live but dad never gave up. Happy birthday to him.
My birthday-itis applies to me. I stopped at seventeen. Sometimes I still can't believe how long ago that was. Seems like yesterday.
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | February 18, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Such a sweet endearing picture. Happy Birthday to your Dad!
Posted by: Renee | February 18, 2011 at 07:36 AM
I have Birthday-itis too! So bad that I forget how old I am!
Your Dad is a very lucky man :)
Posted by: Shannon | February 18, 2011 at 10:18 AM
What a sweet post!! He sounds like a wonderful, loving father!!! Happy Birthday to him!
Posted by: Alicia | February 19, 2011 at 12:35 AM
this post makes my heart happy. :)
and don't worry i can't remember any birthdays either. i can barely remember mine! ha
Posted by: libby | February 19, 2011 at 02:06 AM
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. He obviously raised a wonderful child who turned into a wonderful woman. Happy Birthday to your Dad.
Posted by: Gramma Teetsie Thompson | February 19, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Very sweet! You are so blessed....love him up!!! I hope he had a fabulous day!
Posted by: Molly | February 19, 2011 at 06:34 PM
I'm sure he loves that you don't remember.
Hmmmm. My next birthday is a 'significant' one. Does that mean you'll always think of me as 40? Or as 38, cuz that's how old I was when we first met? *wink*
Posted by: Karen@SurvivingMotherhood | February 20, 2011 at 03:23 PM
I LOVE that amazing photo.
My grandparents all died before I was 7, so I never really knew any of them, so for your kids to have their GREAT grandmother is a wonderful gift.
Haven't been by here in ages, hope all well with you and yours,
Jx
Posted by: Janmary, N Ireland | February 23, 2011 at 05:16 AM
Hey! How are you??? Where did you go??? Everything ok???
Posted by: Jenney | February 25, 2011 at 05:04 PM
sweet that you and your dad are so close and that your mom's grandma is like his too. Man, you guys must have some awesome longevity genes in your family!!
Posted by: carma | February 25, 2011 at 07:13 PM
I think that picture pretty much says it all, although your description of them was very touching.
Posted by: Sandra | February 26, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Aw, your dad sounds like a really great one! Happy bday to him! I also love the pic. It's a framer, for sure!
Posted by: ClassiclyAmber | February 26, 2011 at 01:39 PM