Monday, January 4, 2016

A Birthday Letter to Daddy on His 92nd Birthday

 
On the Occasion of Your 92nd Birthday



Daddy,


Did you know… that one of my fondest & earliest memories is  watching you blow bubbles for us when you shaved?



Did you know…how much I loved having college kids & Ed and Joyce Martin live above our garage?



Did you know…how much I appreciate the way you worked hard to support all “your girls”?



Did you know…How much I enjoyed going “along for the ride” when you would take a college girl back to her dorm at Biola or Whittier college?



Did you know…that having the King’s Heirs meet at our home had a huge &  positive influence on my life?



Did you know…I loved watching you study the Bible for the various classes & Bible studies you taught?



Did you know…I was always proud to be your little #3 Girl?



Did you know…I enjoyed taking turns being the map holder/navigator on our family camping vacations?



Did you know…I like the way you clear your throat and speak Spanish?



Did you know…I loved hearing your stories of your latest witnessing experiences at the dinner table?

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Did you know…I learned a lot at our family dinners: talking about politics, the Lord, American history & other topics we were learning at school?



Did you know…I am grateful for the lovely trip you, Mom and I took to British Columbia, Oregon & Washington when I was 17?



Did you know…I was amazed that you figured within a half-hour how long it would take us to drive from the border of Oregon to the Church of the Open Door in LA (all in one day!)?



Did you know…that your love & affection for Mom and God was the basis of my security and comfort?



Did you know…how amazed I am that you have been talking about  & studying Creation vs. Evolution before anyone we know?



Did you know…what a great example you are to me to “keep learning” no matter how old you are?



Did you know…that your approval of my career paths & husband mean so much to me?

Did  you know...that I have enjoyed being your "Cochlear Buddy"?



Did you know…that your love for missions, the Great Commission and generous giving have been passed on to me by example?



Did you know…I could fill many more pages, but will stop here?



Did you know…I love you more than you will ever know?!



Did you know…I am still proud to be your 60-year-old #3 Girl?



Happy 92nd Birthday Daddy! I love you so much !!

          Grammy and Poppa with our youngest grandchild, Rose Stevens
             Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary

      Our family before Luanne's wedding in April, 1969.

                      Me with the mumps

 We both have cochlear implants (in 2010). 
I got another one in 2011.


A family photo with our first grandchild, Lee Stevens
 

2 comments:

Erin said...

So sweet...Grandpa is a wonderful man!

ShackelMom said...

Beautiful! Thank you Gretchen for putting into words what we all feel! :-)