Happy Birthday, Dad

Today would have been my dad’s 71st birthday.  It’s still hard to believe he isn’t here to celebrate another year of his life.  Cancer swept in and took him from us much sooner than we wanted or planned for it to.

I think of my dad every day, but this past Sunday in church we sang a song that we don’t often sing, but it reminds me of my dad every time I hear it.  My sister and I had a 25th anniversary for his years in the ministry and one of the friend’s we asked to sing, chose this song.  It perfectly described him.

The Longer I Serve Him

by Bill Gaither

Since I started for the Kingdom,
Since my life He controls,
Since I gave my heart to Jesus,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.

Chorus
The longer serve Him, the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

Ev’ry need He is supplying,
Plenteous grace He bestows;
Ev’ry day my way gets brighter,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.

The number one, most important thing in my dad’s life was serving the Lord.  Next came his family.  We were so richly blessed to have him in our lives.  He was such balanced person – so even the great majority of time.  He brought tranquility to stressful situations.  He was also a complete goofball.  When I was young I bought him a little sign for his desk made out of wood and two nuts.  It says “I love you – you nut”.  He kept it in his office – I now have it in mine.

Dad loved his birthday day and Father’s Day – any excuse, really, to get gifts.  He was hoot.  He started several weeks, if not months, ahead of time reminding everyone of the upcoming event.  He dropped hints (not even remotely near subtle) about the newest thing he wanted – he always had something he wanted.  I remember one of the last birthdays he had, he’d begun his ritual early on (probably in April or May).   I don’t remember if he’d told both Tricia and I about what was on his list, but we both knew and had talked about it.  We met him and Mother to see a theatre production and went out to eat afterward.  I had seen him and Tricia head out to the vehicles.  When Mom and I arrived I couldn’t figure out what they were doing so I headed around to the driver’s side to see.  He was talking very quietly to her and secretly handing over an advertisement of the desired item.  I spun on my heel and distracted mother so he wouldn’t “get in trouble”.  (There was no real trouble to be had – it was just part of the game.)  When we headed home Tricia showed me the ad.  I don’t remember now what the item was,  but I do remember it cost $19.95 (plus shipping and handling) and told her that he would help us pay for it if we needed him to.  What a riot!!!

I miss him and today I’ll miss him more than normal.  I wish we would have had twenty or thirty more birthdays with him, but it wasn’t to be.  The lessons he taught us about life and death will remain with us forever.  The fun we had remain in our memories for our lifetime.  He was the best husband, father and grandfather a family could ever ask for.  The greatest gift he gave us, however, was introducing us to Christ.  His service to God and the lives he touched are things that I will be forever grateful for.

Until we meet again, Dad.  I love you!!!